What is the Renters' Rights Act 2025?

The Renters' Rights Act 2025 is a law that came into force in England on 1 May 2026. It's the biggest change to private renting law in more than 30 years, affecting around 11 million renters across England.

The Act abolishes "no-fault" Section 21 evictions — landlords must now have a legal reason to evict. It ends fixed-term tenancies, replacing them with rolling monthly arrangements. It caps rent increases to once a year with proper notice. And it introduces new protections: no discrimination against benefit claimants or families with children, the right to request a pet, and a ban on rental bidding wars.

The law applies to England only. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own separate housing laws.

The Act is being rolled out in phases. Phase one (1 May 2026) covered the major changes above. Phase two (late 2026) will introduce a national register of private landlords and properties, and a free ombudsman service for resolving disputes without going to court.

If you rent privately in England and pay rent to a private landlord, these changes apply to you. Search "Renters' Rights Act overview for tenants" on GOV.UK for the official summary, or visit shelter.org.uk for plain English guidance on how specific rules affect your situation.