Renters' Rights Act: What it means for tenants and landlords
The Renters' Rights Act, effective 1 May 2026, introduces major changes to private renting in England, ending fixed-term tenancies and banning 'no-fault' evictions. Tenants gain greater security with rolling contracts and the right to challenge rent increases, while landlords must now provide valid reasons for eviction. The law aims to improve fairness but has raised concerns about longer court delays and potential landlord withdrawals from the market.
- ▪Fixed-term tenancies are banned, and all private rentals in England will now operate on a periodic, rolling basis.
- ▪Landlords must have a valid legal reason to evict tenants, such as rent arrears of three months or antisocial behaviour, and must give at least four months' notice.
- ▪Tenants can challenge rent increases at a first-tier tribunal, and landlords can raise rent only once per year with two months' notice.
- ▪The Act does not apply to Wales or Northern Ireland, which still permit fixed-term contracts, while Scotland has had similar periodic tenancies since 2017.
- ▪Landlord groups warn the new rules may lead to longer court backlogs and some may exit the rental market due to enforcement challenges.
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What the Renters' Rights Act means for tenants and landlords30 April 2026ShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleTarah Welsh,Housing reporterandLarissa TairoPeter Cade/Getty ImagesDescribed as the biggest shake-up to renting in England for more than 30 years, new laws giving tenants more rights start on Friday 1 May.The Renters' Rights Act aims to give more stability and security to the 11 million people who rent from private landlords. The new rules also mean big changes for landlords, with some warning that there could be delays evicting bad tenants from their properties.How long will tenants be able to rent a property for?Fixed-term tenancies, where renters are tied into contracts lasting for 12 or 24 months, are banned under the new rules.
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