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Renters' Rights Guides

Free guides to renting in England, written for the law as it actually stands after the Renters' Rights Act came into force on 1 May 2026.

No advertising, no sign-up, no paywall. Every guide says plainly what the rules are, what to do about them, and where the free routes are when a landlord will not act.

Start here if something has gone wrong

Start here if you are about to rent

What changed in May 2026

The biggest change to renting in thirty years, and a lot of advice online has not caught up with it.

  • Section 21 no-fault eviction is abolished. A landlord needs a specified ground and has to prove it in court.
  • No fixed terms. Tenancies are periodic, and you leave on two months' notice.
  • Rent in advance is capped at one month, and bidding above the advertised rent is illegal.
  • You can request a pet, and it cannot be unreasonably refused.
  • Awaab's Law sets statutory timescales for damp, mould and emergency hazards.

The full list, and what is still to come.

How these are written

Every guide is checked against primary sources, GOV.UK, legislation.gov.uk and the deposit schemes, and the source links sit at the bottom of each one so you can go and read them yourself.

They cover England. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate systems, and each guide says so. This is general information rather than legal advice, and where something has a deadline attached the guide says to get advice from Shelter or Citizens Advice rather than relying on us.

Written by Ben Yarrow, who founded Marks Out Of Tenancy after his own bad tenancy.

The thing the guides cannot tell you

They set out what a landlord must do. They cannot tell you what a particular landlord actually does when the boiler fails in December.

Only the last tenant knows that. Search an address, a landlord or a letting agent, and when your own tenancy ends, write the review you wish you had been able to read.

AllPrivate Rental SectorHousing AssociationCouncil / Social HousingDepositsUnauthorised EntryRent IncreaseHousing ConditionsRepairsHarassmentTenancy AgreementsDLUHCQuiet EnjoymentTenants Fees Act 2019Damp and MouldPaying RentSmoke AlarmsComplaintsGardensRent Repayment OrdersWhite GoodsProperty OmbudsmanDecorating
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How Often Can My Landlord Increase The Rent In 2026?

Find out how often landlords can increase your rent and what limits apply under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, plus the legal protections for tenants.
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Renters' Rights Act: What Changed, And What's Coming

Want to know how the new renters’ law will affect you as a tenant? Read our quick guide to understand what’s changing, when it starts, and what you should do now.
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Renters' Rights Act: What It Actually Means For You

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 transforms renting in England - ending no-fault evictions, improving housing standards, and giving tenants stronger rights, fairer rents, and greater security.
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A Tenant's Guide To Paying Rent

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My Landlord Is Selling: What Are My Rights In 2026?

If your landlord decides to sell the property you’re renting, it can feel unsettling, and you might not be sure what steps to take next. The good news is that, as a tenant in the UK, you have certain rights that protect you during this transition.
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Landlord Raising The Rent? What You Can Actually Do

Finding out that your rent is going up can feel like a real kick in the teeth. We get it - it's tough. But take a deep breath, because we're here to help you navigate this tricky situation.
Renters' Rights Guides