On 1 May 2026 the Renters’ Rights Act changed the rules for almost everyone who rents or lets a private home in England. If you signed your tenancy before that date, the new rules still apply to you. Here is what changed, in plain words, with links to the government’s own guides.
The Act covers England only. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own renting laws.
The changes at a glance
| What | The rule now |
|---|---|
| Evictions | No more no-fault (section 21) evictions. A landlord needs a legal reason. |
| Length of tenancy | Tenancies roll on with no fixed end date. |
| Leaving | A tenant can leave by giving 2 months’ notice. |
| Rent rises | Once a year at most, with at least 2 months’ notice. |
| Rent in advance | One month at most, and only after the agreement is signed. |
| Bidding | Banned. The advert must show a set rent. |
| Children and benefits | A landlord cannot refuse someone for these reasons. |
| Pets | A tenant can ask, and the landlord cannot refuse without a good reason. |
If you are a tenant
- You cannot be evicted without a reason. Your landlord must use one of the legal grounds, such as selling the home, moving in themselves, serious rent arrears or antisocial behaviour, and must use the correct form and notice period.
- Your tenancy has no end date. If your agreement shows an end date after 1 May 2026, it no longer applies. You stay until you give notice or the landlord has a legal reason to end the tenancy.
- You can leave with 2 months’ notice, given in writing.
- Your rent can go up once a year at most, and not in the first 12 months. If you think the new rent is above the market rate, you can challenge it at the First-tier Tribunal.
- You should not be asked to outbid anyone. The rent in the advert is the rent.
- You should have had an Information Sheet. If your tenancy began before 1 May 2026 and was in writing, your landlord or agent had to give you the government’s Information Sheet by the end of May 2026.
The full detail is in the government’s overview for tenants. For free advice about your own situation, contact Citizens Advice or Shelter.
If you are a landlord or agent
- Use the legal grounds to regain possession. Section 21 notices can no longer be used.
- Do not offer fixed terms. Most existing tenancies became rolling tenancies automatically on 1 May 2026.
- Give new tenants the written information the law requires at the start of the tenancy.
- Raise the rent no more than once a year, using the official form and at least 2 months’ notice.
- Take no more than one month’s rent in advance, and only once the agreement is signed.
- Consider pet requests properly. You need a good reason to refuse.
The government’s Renting is changing pages have a checklist for landlords. More parts of the Act, including a database of private rented homes and a landlord ombudsman, come in later phases.
What this means for your advert
If you advertise a home to rent in England, three of the new rules affect the advert itself:
- Show one set rent. Not a range, and not offers over.
- Do not ask for, or accept, more than the advertised rent.
- Do not rule out families or people on benefits. Wording such as no children or no benefits is not allowed.
Ads on FindMyNextStay always show a single rent, with photos and a map, and tenants message you through the site. Posting is free.
Sources: GOV.UK, Renters’ Rights Act overview for tenants; GOV.UK Housing Hub, Renting is changing. Checked October 2026. This is a summary, not legal advice, and the rules can change, so please check the official guidance before you act.
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