Major reforms to the private-rented sector came into effect on 1 May 2026, through the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.

The aim of these reforms is to provide greater stability and security for private renters.

They give stronger protection against unfair eviction, and greater transparency on fees, rent increases and tenancy terms.

The act introduced new rights and responsibilities for landlords, letting agents and private renters.

The guidance below will help landlords, tenants and housing professionals better understand the changes.

• Guide to the Renters’ Rights Act [GOV.UK]
• Changes for private tenants [Shelter England]
• Guidance for landlords [GOV.UK]
• Implementation roadmap for the Renters’ Rights Act [GOV.UK]

We are engaging with local communities to give tenants and landlords the advice and support they need and will continue to do so.

Contact us if you have any questions about the Renters’ Rights Act or any other tenancy relation issues.

Main changes introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act

• Illegal eviction and harassment: if you have been pressured to leave your home or evicted without proper legal process, this may be unlawful.
• Section 21 ‘no-fault’ eviction notices have been abolished – landlords must now issue a Section 8 notice, providing a valid legal reason to evict a tenant.
• Landlords must provide a written statement of terms for all new tenancies since 1 May 2026 – if you have not received one, this could be a breach of your rights.
• Changes to tenancy types:
  • Fixed-term tenancies are replaced with periodic (rolling) tenancies.
  • You can leave at any time with two months’ notice.
  • You can remain in the property until you choose to leave, a valid notice is served, or a court grants possession.
• Rent in advance rules: landlords can only request one month’s rent in advance, and they cannot require payment before an agreement is signed.
• Rent increases are limited to once per year under Section 13 and must reflect market rate. Landlords must give at least two months’ notice and use the correct form – read the government’s guide to rent increases for assured periodic tenancies.
• Rental bidding ban: landlords cannot request ‘best and final offers’ or encourage offers above the advertised rent.
• Protection from discrimination: it is illegal for landlords to discriminate against tenants for having children or receiving benefits.
• Right to request a pet: you have the right to request a pet, and landlords cannot unreasonably refuse this request.

Section 21 notices

Your landlord can no longer give you a Section 21 eviction notice – most ‘no fault’ evictions have ended. This came into effect on 1 May 2026.

Your landlord can also no longer apply to the court for a Section 21 possession order. This came into effect on 31 July 2026.

If your landlord has given you a Section 21 eviction notice, it is no longer valid unless:

• it was served before 1 May 2026, and
• your landlord applied for a possession order before 31 July 2026

If your landlord did not meet these deadlines, you now have an assured tenancy, and they need a reason to evict you.

If you signed your tenancy agreement before 1 May 2026, it might contain a ‘break clause’. This is no longer valid, and your landlord cannot use it.

Eviction process since 1 August 2026

If your landlord submitted a Section 21 possession claim by 31 July 2026, the case can continue. This deadline only applies to starting a court claim, not to completing the process.

If the court grants a possession order, you will receive a date by which to leave the property. Your landlord can apply for a warrant if you remain after this date, allowing enforcement officers to evict you.

Otherwise, if your landlord wants to evict you, they must restart the process using a Section 8 notice. This notice can be invalidated if your landlord has not correctly protected your deposit.

To learn more, read the government’s guidance on repossessing a privately rented property after 1 May 2026.

Renters’ Rights Act information sheet

Your landlord should have sent you a copy of the government’s Renters’ Rights Act information sheet.

The sheet contains information about your rights and the changes introduced by the new legislation.

The deadline for sending this to you was 31 May, unless they had served a Section 21 notice.

Contact us if you have not received the information sheet or think you might be subject to any potential breach of your renters’ rights.