GOV.UK (Government Digital Service)

What You Need to Know About the Renters’ Rights Act

The video outlines England’s new Renters’ Rights Act, which takes effect on May 1 and overhauls the private rental sector. It explains that landlords will no longer be able to use Section 21 no‑fault evictions, and all assured tenancies will shift to periodic arrangements without a fixed end date, requiring only two months’ notice from tenants wishing to leave. Key provisions include limiting rent increases to once per year, with tenants able to challenge unfair hikes; capping upfront payments at one month’s rent; and prohibiting landlords from refusing tenants based on benefits, children, or pet ownership. The act also bans “bidding wars,” forcing landlords to honor advertised rent prices. For example, a tenant can now give two months’ notice to end a month‑to‑month tenancy, while a landlord must justify any annual rent rise and cannot demand more than one month’s rent upfront. Pet owners can request to keep animals, and landlords must consider the request reasonably. These reforms aim to increase housing stability, protect renters from arbitrary eviction and rent spikes, and promote a fairer rental market. Landlords will need to adjust their lease practices and pricing strategies, and investors may reassess risk calculations in the private rental sector.