The new Renters’ Rights Act is changing renting laws in England and giving tenants stronger legal protection. The law is designed to make renting safer, fairer, and more secure for people living in privately rented homes.

For renters, the biggest changes include:

  • The end of Section 21 “no-fault” evictions
  • Stronger tenant rights
  • Better protection against unfair rent increases
  • Improved rights to report repairs and unsafe housing
  • Easier rules around pets in rental properties

If you rent a home in England, here is a simple breakdown of what the Renters’ Rights Act means for tenants.

What Is the Renters’ Rights Act?

The Renters’ Rights Act is a new law designed to improve tenant rights in the private rental sector.

The government introduced the reforms to:

  • Give tenants more housing security
  • Reduce unfair evictions
  • Improve rental property standards
  • Create fairer rules for renters and landlords

The law mainly affects private tenants renting homes in England.

Section 21 Evictions Are Being Abolished

One of the biggest changes in the Renters’ Rights Act is the removal of Section 21 evictions, also known as “no-fault evictions.”

Previously, landlords could ask tenants to leave without giving a reason.

What This Means for Tenants

Under the new law:

  • Landlords must provide a legal reason to evict a tenant
  • Tenants gain more protection from sudden eviction
  • Renters have greater long-term housing security

Landlords can still evict tenants for legal reasons such as:

  • Serious rent arrears
  • Breaking the tenancy agreement
  • Selling the property
  • Moving family into the home

This change gives tenants stronger protection and more stability when renting.

Rolling Tenancies Replace Fixed-Term Contracts

The Renters’ Rights Act moves many tenants onto rolling tenancy agreements instead of fixed-term contracts.

Why This Matters

For tenants, this means:

  • More flexibility
  • Easier moving arrangements
  • Less pressure to renew long contracts
  • Greater control over housing choices

Tenants can usually leave by giving notice rather than waiting for a fixed tenancy period to end.

Stronger Rules on Rent Increases

The new law also gives tenants more protection against unfair rent rises.

Under the New Rules

  • Rent can usually only increase once per year
  • Landlords must give proper notice
  • Tenants can challenge unfair rent increases

The aim is to make renting more affordable, transparent, and predictable for tenants across England.

Better Rights to Report Repairs and Unsafe Housing

The Renters’ Rights Act strengthens tenant rights when reporting housing problems.

This includes:

  • Damp and mould
  • Broken heating
  • Unsafe electrics
  • Pest infestations
  • Structural issues

Previously, some tenants feared eviction for making complaints. With stronger protection from eviction, renters should feel safer reporting unsafe living conditions.

Easier Rules for Pets in Rental Properties

The reforms are also expected to make it easier for tenants to keep pets in rented homes.

Landlords may need a valid reason to refuse a pet request, helping more renters find pet-friendly accommodation.

What the Renters’ Rights Act Means for UK Tenants

Overall, the Renters’ Rights Act is designed to give tenants:

  • More housing security
  • Fairer treatment from landlords
  • Better living conditions
  • Stronger legal rights
  • Greater confidence when renting

For millions of renters in England, the law represents one of the biggest changes to tenant rights in years.

Read More About the Renters’ Rights Act

For official guidance and the latest government updates, visit the UK Government website:

UK Government Guide to the Renters’ Rights Act