The Renters’ Rights Act: giving tenants stronger rights

Terraced housing with parked cars down either side

The Renters’ Rights Act, which is designed to make renting fairer, safer, and more secure for private tenants, goes live on 1 May 2026. 

If you’re a private tenant, there’s nothing you need to do, however it’s a good idea to read up on the changes and your rights.

As a renter, what will change? 

  • Assured shorthold tenancies are ending - your agreement will change from an assured shorthold tenancy to an assured tenancy, and you will have stronger rights. This change will happen automatically. Your existing tenancy will continue on a rolling monthly basis. Even if you’ve already signed a fixed term contract. 
  • No more ‘no-reason’ evictions - your landlord will no longer be able to use a ‘no-reason’ section 21 notice to evict you. Instead, your landlord will only be able to evict you if they have a legal reason for example, if you don’t pay your rent or are committing antisocial behaviour. 
  • If you want to end your tenancy, you’ll need to give a longer notice of two months instead of the current one month. That’s unless you and the landlord agree a shorter notice period. 
  • Fairer rent increases - your landlord will only be able increase your rent once per year. They’ll also have to give you two months’ notice of an increase instead of one. If you don’t think the new rent is in line with market rent levels in your area, you’ll have six months from the start of your tenancy to ask a tribunal to review it. 
  • An end to discriminatory practices – the Act bans blanket policies like ‘no pets’, no one on welfare payments, and ‘no kids’, meaning landlords must consider each request fairly. 
  • All private rentals will have to meet a national Decent Homes Standard. Councils will have stronger powers to hold landlords accountable if homes are unsafe or in poor condition.

You can find out more by reading the Government’s official info sheet.

If you’re a private landlord, you must pass on this information sheet to your tenants so they’re aware of the changes.

Find out more about the Renter’s Rights Act on the Government website.

If you have any questions, as a landlord or tenant, contact our Private Housing and Environmental Health Standards team on 020 8921 8157 or private-housing-regulation@royalgreenwich.gov.uk.

Information events 

If you're a private landlord or letting agent, join us at our free Landlord’s Forum to find out more about how the Renters' Rights Act will affect you.