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

Problems with your landlord, and which free body handles which problem
When a landlord will not repair
If you have been served with an eviction notice
Getting your deposit back
What to do about a rent increase

Start here if you are about to rent

A tenant's guide to renting in England, the whole picture in one place
Finding a good rented property
Checking a landlord is legitimate
What you can and cannot be charged
Moving into student accommodation

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.

All Private Rental Sector Housing Association Council / Social Housing Deposits Unauthorised Entry Rent Increase Housing Conditions Repairs Harassment Tenancy Agreements DLUHC Quiet Enjoyment Tenants Fees Act 2019 Damp and Mould Paying Rent Smoke Alarms Complaints Gardens Rent Repayment Orders White Goods Property Ombudsman Decorating

A tall hedge shading the back garden of a rented house

Neighbour's Tree Blocking Your Light? Your Options

Is a neighbour’s tree blocking light in your rented home? Learn what UK tenants can do, when to contact landlords, and how to resolve the issue.

A rent increase notice letter on a kitchen table beside a calculator

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.

A stack of unwashed dishes in the sink of a shared rented kitchen

Housemate Ignores The Cleaning Rota? What To Do

Is your housemate ignoring the cleaning rota in a shared rented home? Learn practical steps to resolve cleaning disputes and protect your tenancy without causing problems with your housemate.

A family with a young child viewing a rented flat with a letting agent

Can A Landlord Say No To Benefits, Children Or Pets?

Not sure if a landlord can refuse you as a renter because you’re on universal credit, have kids or want a pet? Here’s what the changes to the new Renters’ Rights Act 2025 means for tenants.

Water leaking through a ceiling into a bucket in a rented flat

What Counts As An Emergency Repair In A Rental?

Unsure if your housing problem is an emergency? This guide explains urgent repairs, landlord responsibilities, and what tenants can do if issues aren’t fixed promptly.

Packed cardboard moving boxes stacked in the hallway of a rented flat

Can I Move More Easily Now Fixed Terms Have Gone?

Find out how the new Renters’ Rights Act 2025 makes it easier for tenants to move out with open-ended tenancies, two months’ notice, and the end of no-fault evictions.

A football lying on the lawn of a rented back garden beside a fence

Neighbour's Kids On Your Property? What Renters Can Do

Do your neighbour's kids keep playing on your driveway or in your garden? Learn your tenant rights, legal options, mediation routes and practical steps for resolving issues.

An eviction notice letter being read at the front door of a rented home

Served With An Eviction Notice? How To Check It's Valid

Facing an unfair eviction in 2025? Understand your current tenant rights, how to challenge invalid eviction notices from your landlord, what changes under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, and where to get reliable rental support.

A level-access shower fitted in a rented bathroom

Your Rights As A Disabled Renter

Understand your rental rights as a disabled tenant in England, including reasonable adjustments to rented properties, protection from discrimination, and what landlords must legally allow.

A bedroom door standing ajar in a shared rented house

Flatmate Been In Your Room? How To Handle It

Worried your flatmate is going through your things or entering your room without permission? Discover how to recognise snooping, protect your private space, understand your tenant rights and confidently deal with boundary-crossing behaviour.

A renter reading a tenancy agreement at a kitchen table

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.

A renter standing at the front door of their home holding keys

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.

A car parked in a numbered allocated bay outside a block of flats

Someone Keeps Parking In My Space: What Can I Do?

Tired of your neighbour parking in your space? Discover practical steps tenants can take to handle parking disputes calmly, know their rights, and get their space back without conflict.

A worn carpet in the hallway of a rented house

How Often Should Things Be Replaced In A Rental?

Knowing when items should be replaced in a rented home helps ensure safety, comfort, and fairness. From appliances and carpets to smoke alarms and detectors, there are clear timelines landlords should follow. This guide explains what tenants can expect and what landlords are responsible for.

A dog asleep on the floor of a rented flat

Asking Your Landlord About A Pet: How To Get A Yes

Want to keep a pet in your rented home? This tenants' guide shows you how to approach your landlord the right way - covering tenancy terms, legal rights, negotiation tips, and what to do if your request to have a pet is refused.

A tenant photographing a scuff on the wall of an empty rented flat on moving day

How To Document Your Rental's Condition (And Why)

Documenting your rental property’s condition before moving in is crucial for protecting your deposit, avoiding disputes, and clearly establishing tenant rights under UK law. Taking clear photos, videos, and notes ensures a fair tenancy from the start.

A renter organising emails and photographs into a complaint file

Problems With Your Landlord? Escalate In This Order

Are you a tenant struggling with landlord issues in the U.K.? This guide explains your legal rights, how to handle disputes, seek help, and take action to ensure safe, fair rental housing.

A landlord replying to a tenant's repair message on a laptop

Keeping A Good Relationship With Your Tenants

Establishing and maintaining a positive landlord-tenant relationship is essential for a successful and harmonious rental experience. Check out our guide for landlords on how to keep a good relationship with their tenants.

A bank app showing a monthly rent standing order

A Tenant's Guide To Paying Rent

Paying rent is one of the most important responsibilities you have as a tenant. Knowing how, when, and why to pay properly can help you avoid disputes, stay protected legally, and build a good relationship with your landlord.

A tenant looking at a washing machine that has stopped working in a rented kitchen

Broken Appliance In A Rental: Who Has To Fix It?

Learn your rights as a tenant on broken appliance repairs in rented properties. Understand landlord responsibilities, escalation steps, and insurance options.

Packing boxes stacked in the hallway of a rented flat

Stay Put Or Move On? There's Nothing To Renew Now

If your tenancy is coming to and end and you’re unsure whether to renew your rental agreement or find a new place to rent, our guide will help you decide.

A letting agent making notes on a clipboard during a routine inspection of a rented flat

Rental Inspections: Your Rights And What To Expect

If you've got a rental inspection coming up, check out our tenants' guide on what to expect and what your landlord or letting agent is looking for.

Open windows airing a rented flat on a bright spring day

A Renter's Guide To Spring

Our guide to spring clean and organising in a rented home can help you maintain your property while also protecting your rental deposit.

An estate agent for sale board outside a terraced house that is being rented

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.

How Can I Get My Full Rental Deposit Back?

To ensure you receive the entire deposit, it's important to understand the expectations set by your landlord and the laws that govern these agreements. This guide will help you through the steps to take to maximise the likelihood of getting your full rental deposit returned.

A set of keys and a tenancy agreement on a kitchen table

A Tenant's Guide To Renting In England

If you’re renting a house for the first time then there might be a few things you’re not aware of. Check out our guide for tenants moving into their first rented property.

A tenancy agreement and set of house keys on a table

Assured Shorthold Tenancies: What Replaced Them In 2026

The Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) is a fundamental element of the private rental sector in the UK. It was established by the Housing Act 1988, revolutionising the private rental market by clearly defining the rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants.

A desk set up for a home business in a rented flat

Running A Business From A Rented Home: The Rules

If you're starting a company from home, do you need permission from your landlord? In a word: 'Yes', but find out some reasons why in the article

A tenancy agreement on a table with a pen resting on it

Why A Written Tenancy Agreement Matters

If you’re renting in England or Wales, it’s important to understand that landlords aren’t under legal obligation to provide written tenancy agreements. Still, not having a tenancy agreement in writing places both the landlord and the tenant at a disadvantage.

A letting agent invoice and tenancy paperwork on a desk