Renters' Rights Act

Introduction to Renters' Rights Act

Phase 1 of the Renters' Rights Act 2025, which came into force on 1 May 2026, represents a fundamental reform of the private rented sector in England, aimed at improving security, fairness and stability for renters while clarifying landlords' responsibilities.

The Government has published a comprehensive guide to the new Act.

Landlords and letting agents

There have been significant changes to the tenancies that you can offer, how you evict tenants and limits on setting and increasing rents.

You are also required to give your tenants the Renters, Rights Act Information Sheet by the 31^st May 2026.

The Government have published an RRA landlords overview as well as the following guidance:

Tenants

if you are an existing tenant with an assured shorthold tenancy, your tenancy will become an assured periodic tenancy; you will not need a new tenancy, but your landlord is required to give you an information sheet explaining the key changes
your landlord will have to follow new rules before repossessing your home which will give you increased security of tenure
landlords will only be able to increase rents once a year and you will have the right to challenge it
you can ask to keep a pet

Further information can be found in the following Government publications:

Rental discrimination guides

If you are a landlord in England, you must not do anything to make a tenant less likely to rent a property (or prevent them from renting it) because they have children or get benefits. This is called 'rental discrimination'.

Rental discrimination: a guide for landlords

If you are a tenant in England, landlords must not do anything to make you less likely to rent a property (or stop you from renting it) because you have children or get benefits. This is called 'rental discrimination'. This includes anyone acting on the landlord's behalf, like letting agents, referencing services, friends or family members. Any part of a tenancy agreement, mortgage or superior lease that could be used to discriminate is not valid and cannot be enforced.

Rental discrimination: a guide for tenants