Renters' Rights Act changes for private renters
The Renters' Rights Act will mean big changes for most private renters.
Your rights will not change if you're a lodger.
The government has not set a start date for these changes. We will update this page when there is more information.
No more section 21 notices
At the moment, your landlord can evict you without a reason.
Your landlord will not be able to give you a section 21 notice when the law changes. This means 'no fault' evictions will end.
Instead, private landlords will need a reason to evict you. For example:
rent arrears
your landlord is selling the property
Most private renters will have an assured tenancy with stronger rights instead of an assured shorthold tenancy.
If you get a valid section 21 notice before the law changes, your landlord will still be able to use it to evict you.
New 1 month limit on rent in advance
Your landlord will not be able to ask for more than 1 month's rent in advance.
Councils will be able to fine landlords who ask for or accept more.
No more fixed term tenancies
There will be no more fixed term tenancies.
If you already have a fixed term tenancy, it will become 'periodic'.
This means it will be a 'rolling' monthly or weekly tenancy.
Rent increases
Your landlord will have to use a section 13 notice to increase your rent.
This will give you at least 2 months' warning of the increase.
You will be able to challenge the increase through a tribunal if you think it's too much.
If the tribunal agrees, they will be able to set a new, lower rent.
The tribunal will not be able increase your rent to more than the amount your landlord is asking for.
Your landlord will not be able to evict you for challenging a rent increase.
If you have a clause in your tenancy agreement that allows your landlord to increase your rent, it will no longer apply.
Ending your tenancy
You will have to give 2 months' notice if you want to end your tenancy.
Your landlord will be able to agree to a shorter notice.
Get any agreement in writing.
What the changes mean for your tenancy agreement
You will have an assured tenancy with stronger rights - even if your agreement still says 'assured shorthold'.
New tenants should get a written 'statement of terms' with information about their tenancy.
The statement of terms should have information on it like your rent amount, your landlord's name and the property address.
Table: The main changes
| Before Renters' Rights Act | After the law changes |
|---|---|
| Section 21 means you can be evicted for no reason. | Landlords will need a legal reason to evict you with a section 8 notice. |
| Rent in advance is not limited. | Your landlord will only be able to ask for 1 month's rent in advance. Landlords will still be able to ask for a separate tenancy deposit. |
| Your landlord can use a rent review clause to increase your rent. They might pressure you to agree to pay more. | Your landlord will have to give you at least 2 months' notice of a rent increase. |
| You can give at least 1 month's notice to end your tenancy. | You will need to give at least 2 months' notice to end your tenancy. |
| Private renters often have fixed term assured shorthold tenancies when they first move in. | Most renters will have assured periodic tenancies with no end date. |
Last updated: 27 May 2025
