The Renters’ Rights Act introduces significant changes to renting in England. These changes coming in from the 01 May 2026 are designed to provide tenants with greater stability, stronger protections and clearer rights.
One of the most important changes is the end of so-called “no-fault” evictions. This means landlords will no longer be able to end a tenancy without giving a valid reason. Instead, they must use specific legal grounds if they wish to regain possession of a property.
The new legislation will also introduce changes to tenancy agreements, moving towards more secure, open-ended tenancies. This is intended to give tenants greater confidence to stay in their homes without the uncertainty of fixed-term renewals.
There will also be new rules around rent increases. Landlords will only be able to increase rent once per year and must follow a set process. Tenants will have the ability to challenge increases they believe are unfair.
The Act also includes additional protections, such as giving tenants the right to request permission to keep pets, which landlords must consider reasonably.
These changes are intended to create a fairer and more secure private rented sector. If you are unsure about how the changes affect you, or if you need advice, our housing team is available to help.