Know your Rental Rights! Read this article to understand how the new Renters Rights Act will benefit you!
The Renters Rights Act is set to take effect 1st May 2026, so what does that mean for you?
The Renters Rights Act looks to protect all Renters and ensure landlords are held accountable to provide safe housing. From scrapping ‘no fault’ evictions and bidding wars to mandating Landlords to tackle mouldy and dangerous conditions, the new Bill empowers and protects you at all stages of renting - when finding, living in and leaving your home.
Flat Hunting
Flat hunting at university can be daunting, but this new act should give you confidence!
Gone are the days of price gouging and lousy Landlords! The act will end Landlords demanding huge advance payments prior to the beginning of your tenancy. They now can legally only ask for a months’ worth of rent upfront, barring landlords for asking for obscene amounts of money. As well as this, bidding wars will now be something of the past! Landlords will have to put their property on the rental market and accept the exact offering price. Any other offers for the rental price cannot be accepted, your application will be considered and affirmed if chosen.
When choosing your new home, the new Private Rented Sector Database gives you a transparent look into your landlord and the property. Your property will also have to meet the Decent Homes Standard, ensuring Landlords provide you safe and secure housing and any violation of such can then be penalised.
Landlords can now not discriminate against you, as a prospective tenant, if you request a pet, have children or are in receipt of benefits. When looking for a perfect home for you and your fluffy friend, Landlords cannot unreasonably refuse you based on you having a pet. Landlords will be able to require pet insurance form you in case of damage to the property, but they can no longer refuse your tenancy given that you have a pet!
This Act looks to prohibit rental discrimination, ensuring all can live a dignified life in a safe home, including those with children and those in receipt of benefits. Landlords cannot discriminate against you based upon your income and they can only refuse the presence of children when they feel the size of the property isn’t adequate as it isn’t proportional to the number of tenants.
Student Living
Independent living at university is an exciting yet scary time. The protections within this Act allow you to hold your landlord accountable to provide you safe housing.
The new implementation of Awaab’s Law into the private sector means your landlord has a legal duty to address any serious hazardous and dangerous conditions within your house. Issues such as damp, mould and technical faults, under this Act, will have to be addressed and fixed within a short timeline to ensure the safety of you the tenant. This Law allows the new Decent Homes Standard to be upheld.
If any part of the Act is violated, you can now raise your complaints with the new Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman who can file complaints and provide quick, fair, impartial and binding resolution for tenants’ complaints. Speaking of complaints, this Act with strengthen local authorities enforcement powers, allowing them to fully investigate and discipline Landlords when necessary.
Moving out
The new Act will ensure that moving out won’t be a forceful displacement but a conscious choice - protecting against unfair evictions and possessions whilst shifting the way tenancies work.
Tenancies will become periodic rather than fixed term, where you’re not stuck to a specific time dependant contract but are able to live within a property for however long suits you! You will simply have to give 2 months’ notice before moving out allowing flexibility in case of substandard conditions, heartbreak or even adventure.
An important aspect of the bill is the prevention of evictions by abolishing Section 21 ‘no fault’ Evictions and protecting against backdoor evictions. Landlords will now only be able to use Section 8 to enforce evictions, having to have specific grounds to do such. Concerning back door evictions, the act will restrict rent increases meaning they can only be proposed only once a year, and they can be appealed especially in the case of excessive up pricing. If an eviction is unfortunately dealt, the notice period is now extended, giving you more time to move on and out!
Next Steps
The Renter’s Rights Act is an exciting push forwards to mandate affordable and safe housing for you! If you’re facing any housing issue, please contact our Advice service using the Contact Form. In line with this new Act, they can support you to resolve any accommodation dilemmas you’re facing, so please don’t hesitate to reach out!
References/ further reading
Advice Contact Form
Housing Guide
https://www.accommodationforstudents.com/student-blog/renters-rights-bill-for-students
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqjwqp72y7ro
Guide to the Renters’ Rights Act - GOV.UK
Get help from Shelter - Shelter England