In just one month’s time, a major shake‑up of the private rented sector comes into force.
From 1 May 2026, the new Renters’ Rights Act will give 11 million renters stronger protections, fairer rules and greater security in their homes. With big changes on the way, now’s the moment to get to know your rights and what they mean for you.
🔑 What’s changing from the 1 May?
- No more ‘no-fault’ evictions – landlords in the private rented sector won’t be able to evict tenants without a valid reason.
- Goodbye to fixed contracts – all tenancies in the private rented sector will roll on from month to month or week to week (depending on your arrangement) with no end date, giving renters more flexibility. Tenants can end them with two months’ notice as well.
- Fairer rent rules – landlords can only raise rent once a year, and renters can challenge unfair hikes.
- No more bidding wars – landlords must stick to no more than the advertised rent price.
- One month’s rent upfront, max – landlords can’t ask for more.
- No discrimination – it’ll be illegal to refuse tenants just because they receive benefits or have kids.
- Pets welcome – renters can now ask to live with a pet and landlords must consider it fairly.
🛠️ What does this mean for landlords?
Landlords will still be able to get their property back for clear reasons – like selling up, moving in, or dealing with rent arrears or anti-social behaviour.
The changes aim to strike a fair balance between renters and landlords, making the system more stable, safer and easier to understand.
🧾 What’s coming next?
From late 2026, more improvements will roll out:
🏠 A Private Rented Sector Database
- This is a register of all landlords and rental properties in England, so you can check who you’re renting from. The new online database will be rolled out gradually by area from late 2026, showing who is renting out homes across England. You’ll be able to check your landlord and see if they’re properly registered once it is live in the area you live.
🛠️ A free complaints service
- The Private Landlord Ombudsman will be launched to help renters sort complaints against landlords quickly and fairly - without needing to go to court. It will create an independent person to resolve your complaints against your landlord quickly and fairly.
🧾 Progressing future plans - warmer and safer homes
The government is also continuing work to improve living conditions in privately rented homes. Consultations will inform their timelines.
New rules in the future will raise the standard of rented homes - tackling damp, mould and dangerous conditions. Landlords will need to fix serious hazards faster and make homes more energy efficient, helping tenants stay warm and cut bills.
This is what’s coming:
🧱 Quick landlord action to fix hazards
The government is looking to extend Awaab’s Law to private rentals - forcing landlords to act fast when homes are unsafe. A consultation on how best to do this will be launched soon, so private tenants can benefit from protections like those already supporting social housing tenants.
🌱 Greener homes by 2030
By 2030, we plan to require that all privately rented homes must meet new energy efficiency standards (EPC rating C or better), unless exempt. That means better insulation, lower bills and greener living.
🏡 A new Decent Homes Standard for private rentals
For the first time, the government will introduce a Decent Homes Standard for privately rented homes - a clear set of rules to make sure every rented property is safe, warm and in good repair.
This new standard will help raise the bar across the board, giving renters confidence that their home meets basic safety and quality rules - and giving councils more power to crack down on landlords who don’t meet them.
How will I know how to exercise my new rights next year?
First of all, landlords will be responsible for sticking to these new rules – and your local councils will have stronger powers to act if your landlord breaks them.
To help you understand your new rights better, the government has published guidance to the Renters’ Rights Act; Guide to the Renters’ Rights Act - GOV.UK
With just one month to go, now is the time to get informed so you’re ready when the new protections kick in.