The Renters’ Rights Act 2025: What It Means And How It Helps You

If you rent your home [from a private landlord] in England, big changes are on the way. The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 is now law, and it’s designed to make renting fairer, safer and more secure.

It’s being called the biggest shake-up of renting in a generation. Here’s what it does, when it starts, and how it will actually make a difference to your life as a renter.

What Is The Renters’ Rights Act 2025?

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 became law on 27 October 2025, but most of its new rules will kick in during 2026. The government will announce an official start date so that renters, landlords and letting agents all move to the new system at the same time.

The Act changes the way renting works in England. It focuses on security, fairness, and decent housing standards - tackling the biggest frustrations renters face, like sudden evictions, unfair rent hikes, and landlords who ignore repairs.

No More “No-Fault” Evictions

The most talked-about change is the end of Section 21, also known as “no-fault” evictions.

Right now, your landlord can ask you to leave even if you’ve paid your rent on time and looked after the property, and they don’t have to give a reason. Under the new law, that’s over.

Landlords will still be able to end tenancies, but only if they have a legitimate reason - like needing to sell the property or move in themselves, or if the tenant has serious rent arrears or caused damage. Even then, they’ll need to give proper notice, and they can’t use those grounds within the first year of a tenancy.

For renters, this means you’ll no longer live with the fear of losing your home through no fault of your own.

Rolling Tenancies – More Flexibility, Less Stress

Fixed-term tenancies are being scrapped. Instead, every tenancy will become rolling (periodic), meaning it continues from month to month without needing to sign a new contract each year.

This makes renting simpler and more flexible. You’ll be able to leave by giving two months’ notice, and you won’t have to pay renewal fees or worry about being “locked in” for another twelve months just to stay put.

You can check your current tenancy type using Shelter’s tenancy checker.

Fairer Rent Rises

Under the new rules, your landlord can only raise the rent once a year, and they have to give you at least two months’ notice. The increase has to be fair and in line with the local market.

If you think the rise is unreasonable, you can challenge it through the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber), which can reduce rent increases it finds unfair. Importantly, the Tribunal can’t increase your rent above what the landlord originally asked for, so there’s no risk in appealing.

For help comparing rents in your area, try the ONS Private Rental Market Statistics.

Bidding Wars And Big Upfront Rent – Banned

The Act takes aim at some of the worst practices that have crept into renting.

Landlords and agents will have to list a clear asking rent and can’t encourage or accept bids above it. This means no more stressful “bidding wars” where you’re pressured to outbid other tenants.

It will also become illegal to demand huge sums of rent upfront - a practice that’s often locked out renters who don’t have big savings. Once the Act takes effect, landlords will only be able to ask for one month’s rent in advance before you move in.

If you’ve ever been asked for six or twelve months of rent upfront, you can report it to your local council’s housing enforcement team.

You Can Ask For A Pet – And Landlords Can’t Unreasonably Say No

Under the new law, you’ll have the right to request a pet, and landlords must have a valid reason if they refuse. They can ask you to take out pet damage insurance, but they can’t charge unfair fees or reject you just because it’s easier to say no.

If you want to prepare a request, check out Dogs Trust’s “Lets with Pets” guide for practical tips on proving you’re a responsible pet owner.

There’s A New Ombudsman To Help Renters

The Private Rented Sector Ombudsman will be a free, independent service for renters. Every landlord will have to register with it.

If you have a complaint - about repairs, deposits, or unfair treatment - you’ll be able to raise it through the Ombudsman instead of going straight to court. They can order landlords to apologise, fix problems or even pay compensation.

Better Housing Standards – At Last

The Act extends the Decent Homes Standard to private rentals for the first time. That means every rented home must be safe, warm and in good repair.

It also brings in Awaab’s Law to set time limits for fixing serious hazards like damp and mould. Councils will have more power to fine landlords who ignore repairs.

If you’re struggling with damp, mould or unsafe conditions now, check out Shelter’s guide on getting repairs done in privately rented homes.

No More Discrimination

The law also makes it illegal for landlords or agents to turn you away because you have children or because you receive benefits. Those “No DSS” or “Professionals only” adverts will no longer be allowed.

You can read more about what counts as discrimination in housing on Citizens Advice or share your experience anonymously on Marks Out Of Tenancy.

How This Helps You Day-To-Day

Once these changes come into force, renting will start to feel less uncertain and more balanced. You’ll be able to plan ahead knowing you can’t be evicted without cause. You’ll have protection against unreasonable rent hikes, and you won’t need to hand over months of rent upfront just to get a roof over your head.

Repairs should get done faster, discrimination should become rarer, and there’ll finally be an easy way to get things sorted if your landlord doesn’t play fair.

What To Do If Your Landlord Doesn’t Follow The New Rules

If you think your landlord is breaking the rules once the Act takes effect, you can:

• Contact your local council’s housing enforcement team.
• Raise a complaint with the upcoming Private Rented Sector Ombudsman (details will be on GOV.UK once it launches).
• Get free advice from Shelter, Citizens Advice, or share your experience on Marks Out Of Tenancy.
  
   

The Bottom Line

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 gives renters in England stronger, clearer rights than ever before. It won’t solve every housing problem overnight, but it will make a real difference.

You’ll have more security, more fairness, and more power to stand up for yourself.

After years of uncertainty, this law finally gives renters what they’ve always needed: a fair deal and a stable home.