Protections for private renters now include a ban on ‘no fault’ evictions and limits to rent increases
Eleven million private renters in England now have a host of new protections as the Renters’ Rights Act comes into law.
One of the biggest – and most anticipated – new protections includes a ban on Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions – ending the practice of evicting tenants without justification.
The Renters’ Rights Act also places a limit on rent increases to once a year and upfront rent demands to just one month’s payment. Bidding wars are now banned, so no-one has to battle it out with high offers to secure a place and tenants can challenge unreasonable rent hikes.
Renters now have the flexibility to end any tenancy with no more than two months’ notice, as fixed-term agreements become invalid from 1st May 2026.
It is now also illegal to discriminate against prospective tenants for being on benefits or having children and pet requests must be reasonably considered.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “For too long, families have lived with the constant fear of eviction, while young people have been outbid for the homes they need to start their lives.
“Today we are putting that right. We promised to fix a broken rental system and we’re delivering.
‘This historic action will make renting fairer, safer and more secure for millions, so people can settle, put down roots and build their lives.”
The new laws under the Act come with heftier penalties of up to £40k if they are broken with councils gaining new powers and boosted funding to investigate and take robust enforcement action.
“Renters have been living at the mercy of rogue landlords and in fear of losing their home for too long”, said Housing Secretary Steve Reed.
“We are putting a stop to this with historic changes that give renters the security they deserve – marking the beginning of a new era for private renters.
Generation Rent’s chief executive Ben Twomey said: “[The Renters’ Rights Act] marks a new era for private renters across England. This new law is a vital step towards re-balancing power between renters and landlords and should be celebrated.
“Our homes are the foundations of our lives, but, for decades, Section 21 evictions forced renters to live in fear of being turfed out of our homes, preventing us from raising valid concerns with our landlords. At last, this outdated and unfair law has been sent packing.
“If this law is to reach into people’s homes and improve their lives, it’s vital councils across the country are using all their powers to make sure landlords stick to the new rules. Meanwhile, I encourage every renter to take the time to understand their new rights and how to enforce them.
How have renters’ rights improved?
- No more Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions – private landlords can no longer evict tenants without a valid reason.
- An end 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.
- 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’s now 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 reasonably consider it.
Seyi Obakin, chief executive of leading youth homelessness charity Centrepoint, said: “Ending youth homelessness requires a series of policies aimed at reducing the number of young people at risk and supporting those already experiencing it into sustainable tenancies and employment.
“The protections in the Renters’ Rights Act will prevent thousands of young people pushed into homelessness every year because of no fault evictions. This is a cause for real celebration: from the beginning of this month, fewer young people will end up in housing crisis or trapped in temporary accommodation as a result of a no-fault eviction.
“Private renting is the default option hundreds of thousands of young people across the country – the increased protections in this Act mean they better able to rely on the security of their tenancies and enjoy and benefit from the stability that brings.”