The Renters' Rights Act (2025) is new UK law for England, bringing significant changes to private renting by:
- ending "no-fault" evictions
- scrapping fixed-term contracts for rolling tenancies
- introducing a Decent Homes Standard
- banning rent bidding wars
- enabling tenants to request pets
Providing greater security and fairness, with major parts coming into force in May 2026.
Key changes introduced
Abolition of Section 21 evictions: landlords must now have a valid specific reason (a "possession ground") to evict tenants ending the ability to evict without cause.
Rolling tenancies: fixed-term contracts are replaced by periodic (rolling) tenancies, allowing tenants to end them with two months' notice and landlords to use specific grounds for ending them.
Rent increase controls: rent hikes are limited to once a year and must be justified at market rate, with tenants able to challenge unfair increases.
Decent Homes Standard and Awaab's Law: landlords must meet higher property standards and address issues like damp and mould promptly.
Pet ownership: tenants gain the right to request pets, with landlords unable to unreasonably refuse.
Anti-discrimination: it's illegal for landlords to discriminate against prospective tenants receiving benefits or with children.
End to bidding wars: landlords can no longer invite or accept offers above the advertised rent.
New Ombudsman and database: a new Private Rented Sector (PRS) Ombudsman will resolve disputes, and landlords must register on a national database.
For more guidance, please read the:
When does it applies
The act received Royal Assent in October 2025. Key changes like the end of no-fault evictions and the move to rolling tenancies, start on 1 May 2026. For more information, visit the Guide to the Renters’ Rights Act.