Millions of landlords and tenants are facing significant changes as new regulations take effect starting today.
The Renters’ Rights Act, which commenced on May 1, prohibits “no fault” evictions and mandates landlords to consider allowing tenants to have pets. The Mirror interviewed a tenant who shared the distressing experience of a Section 21 eviction that had a severe impact.
Adrian Fletcher, 55, faced a no-fault eviction following complaints about severe dampness, mold, and water leakage in his residence. Another tenant was forced out of a home where their family had resided for nearly a decade.
James Coleman, another tenant, emotionally described receiving a Section 21 notice that compelled his family to relocate, causing them to move farther away from their children’s schools.
Citizens Advice reported assisting 2,335 individuals with Section 21 issues in March, along with aiding over 1,800 people with home repairs and safety concerns, and more than 1,000 with rent adjustments.
Amy Hughes, Advice Manager at Citizens Advice, emphasized the significance of the Renters’ Rights Act in rectifying the power imbalance in the private rental sector and ensuring tenant security in their homes. She highlighted that landlords can now only evict tenants for specific reasons, such as rent arrears or antisocial behavior.
Under the new regulations, Section 21 “no fault” evictions are prohibited, and landlords must provide a valid reason for eviction, such as property sale or rent arrears, with a four-month notice period. Fixed-term tenancies will transition to rolling periodic agreements, and landlords must furnish tenants with essential details and comply with specific guidelines, including providing the official Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026.
Tenants are required to give two months’ notice before leaving, and landlords can permit early exits. Rent increases must be notified using a Section 13 notice, limited to once annually, based on market rates, and subject to challenge by tenants in case of unfair hikes.
Tenants now have the right to request pet ownership, with landlords having a defined timeframe to respond. Restrictions on rent advance payments, rent bidding wars, and discriminatory rental conditions have been implemented to protect tenants’ rights and ensure fair rental practices.
Landlords are no longer allowed to enforce discriminatory clauses like “no children” or “no benefits” in rental agreements or advertisements, except in specific legal circumstances.
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