From 1 May 2026, there will be big changes to the private rented sector – this is when most of the new Renters’ Rights Act 2025 will come into force, writes Mark Lahaise – Fairer Housing’s Head of Legal Advice. This will automatically affect assured shorthold tenancies in the private rented sector. Some of the main changes will be:
- No more section 21 ‘no fault’ eviction notices. If your landlord wants you to move out, they must give a valid reason eg. Rent arrears. They must give you notice and must go through the correct procedure if they want you to move out.
- All tenancies will automatically become monthly or weekly periodic assured tenancies (there will no more fixed term tenancies eg. 12 months).
- If you want to move out, you must give your landlord at least 2 months’ written notice. There are strict rules about what date you need to put for the last day of your tenancy. It is important you send a valid notice with the correct date for the end of your tenancy – we can help you with this. You may be able to agree an earlier date with the landlord but this must be done correctly in order to end the tenancy – we can also help you with this.
- Rent increases: the landlord can only increase your rent by giving you at least 2 months’ notice under section 13 Housing Act 1988. Rent cannot be increased until at least 52 weeks after your tenancy started, or the date of the last rent increase. If you think the rent is more than the ‘market rent’ you can refer the matter to the First Tier Tribunal for them to decide what the rent should be. This must be done before the proposed date of increase in rent. We can help you with this. We can also check if the Notice of increase your landlord sends you is valid.
- Landlords must provide all tenants with an ‘Information Sheet’ about the Renters’ Rights Act, by 31 May 2026. If you do not have a written tenancy agreement, landlords must provide all tenants with a full ‘Written Statement’ of terms of the tenancy, by 31 May 2026.
This is guidance only and not legal advice. If you have any questions about the Renters’ Rights Act please contact Fairer Housing.