Renters' Rights Act

On 1 May 2026, private renting will change. 

The Renters’ Rights Act is delivering new rights and responsibilities for tenants, landlords and letting agents living and working in the private rented sector.

What it means for tenants

As a tenant you’ll face fewer barriers when you’re looking for a property to rent, and more security and stability once you’re in it.

What’s changing?

• 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. This gives 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 increases.
• No more bidding wars – landlords must to stick the advertised rent price and not ask for more to secure the tenancy
• 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 the request fairly.

Read the tenant guidance for more information

If you think your landlord or letting agent isn’t following the new rules, you can report concerns to us at privatesectorhousing@hart.gov.uk  

What it means for landlords

As a landlord, you play an important role in delivering the reforms and will need to understand what these changes mean for you and your business. That way, you can be confident that you are complying with the law and providing your tenants with a safe, affordable and decent home. 

You’ll need to make sure that you give your tenant written information about the terms of their tenancy: 

• For most tenancies that started before 1 May 2026, you won’t need to change or re-issue any existing written tenancy agreements. Instead, you’ll need to send your tenants a copy of the government-produced Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet, either digitally or on paper. You have until 31 May 2026 to send this to all your tenants. 
• If there’s no written record of the tenancy terms – because the tenancy is based on a verbal agreement, for example – you’ll need to provide tenants with a written record of specific terms of the agreement. 
• For tenancies that start on or after 1 May 2026, you’ll need to provide your tenants with certain information about the tenancy in writing. You could do this in a tenancy agreement or use the government Renters' Rights Act guidance

Read the landlord guidance for more information

If you need more support as a landlord and would like to know further details, please email rentdeposit@hart.gov.uk