On 1 May 2026, the Renters’ Rights Act officially entered into force, giving 11 million renters across Britain stronger rights, better protections and more security in their homes.

14,647 renters in Clapham & Brixton Hill will benefit from these new laws, which include a long-overdue ban on ‘No Fault’ evictions, ending the practice of tenants being evicted without a reason.

These reforms are designed to give renters greater security, stability and fairness – helping people to put down roots and feel more secure in their homes.

How have renters’ rights improved?

• No more Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions – private landlords can no longer evict tenants without a valid reason.
• Goodbye to fixed contracts – all tenancies in the private rented sector will roll on from month to month or week to week (depending on your arrangement) with no end date, giving renters more flexibility. Tenants can end them with two months’ notice.
• Fairer rent rules – landlords can only raise rent once a year and renters can challenge unfair hikes.
• No more bidding wars – landlords must stick to no more than the advertised rent price.
• One month’s rent upfront, max – landlords can’t ask for more.
• No discrimination – it’s now illegal to refuse tenants just because they receive benefits or have kids.
• Pets welcome – renters can now ask to live with a pet and landlords cannot unreasonably refuse permission.

These changes are designed to make renting fairer and more secure, while also giving landlords clear, modernised rules to follow. 1 May 2026 marks the first phase of implementation, with additional provisions coming in later this year and beyond.

What further changes am I pushing for?

This legislation represents a significant upgrade to renters’ rights and I welcome it wholeheartedly but there is still work to do to stop renters being evicted and exploited.

• Rent controls: whilst the legislation limits the frequency of rent rises, it does nothing to address the soaring hikes we’ve seen. As I pointed out at Third Reading, a large rent increase is just a no fault eviction by another name. The government must adopt rent controls to prevent renters being exploited and evicted in this way.
• Stronger protections for renters in upgraded homes: I welcome the government’s commitment to improve energy efficiency standards in private rental homes, tackling fuel poverty for renters. However, I fear that without stronger protections, many tenants may not enjoy the benefit of their upgraded homes — even when such upgrades are delivered with public money. That’s why I’ve been pushing for a protected period from eviction after a government grant is used to retrofit a privately rented property — to stop landlords simply cashing in on the increased value of their property by selling up.

What future changes has the government promised?

• A Private Rented Sector Database – a register of all landlords and rental properties in England, so you can check who you’re renting from. The new online database will be rolled out gradually by area from late 2026, showing who is renting out homes across England. You’ll be able to check your landlord and see if they’re properly registered once it is live in the area you live.
• A free complaints service – a new independent Private Landlord Ombudsman will help renters sort complaints against landlords quickly and fairly, without needing to go to court. It will also support landlords with tools, guidance and training on handling complaints from tenants early.
• Warmer and safer homes – new rules in the future will raise the standard of rented homes – tackling damp, mould and dangerous conditions. Landlords will need to fix serious hazards faster and make homes more energy efficient, helping tenants stay warm and cut bills.
• Greener homes by 2030 – by 2030, all privately rented homes must meet new energy efficiency standards (EPC rating C or better) unless exempt. That means better insulation, lower bills and greener living.
• Landlord action to fix hazards – the government is looking to extend Awaab’s Law to private rentals – forcing landlords to act fast when homes are unsafe. A consultation on how best to do this will be launched soon, so private tenants can benefit from protections like those already supporting social housing tenants.
• A new Decent Homes Standard by 2035 for private rentals – the government will introduce a Decent Homes Standard for privately rented homes: a clear set of rules to make sure every rented property is safe, warm and in good repair. This new standard will help raise the bar across the board, giving renters confidence that their home meets basic safety and quality rules – and giving councils more power to crack down on landlords who don’t meet them.

How can renters exercise their rights?

• Landlords are responsible for sticking to these new rules – and your local councils now have stronger powers to act if your landlord breaks them.
• Should you need help as a renter, the process you follow depends on the type of dispute you want to raise. The government’s guidance is a good starting point to check how you approach different rental issues.
• It is always a good idea to raise concerns with your landlord in the first instance before taking formal steps. But if you think they might be breaking the law, you should get in touch with your local council. Councils have significant powers to take enforcement action including higher fines and prosecution.
• In the future, a new Private Rented Sector Ombudsman will provide quick, fair, impartial and binding resolution for tenants’ complaints about their landlord.

What does the Renters’ Rights Act mean for landlords?

• Landlords can still get their property back for clear reasons – like selling up, moving in, or dealing with rent arrears or anti-social behaviour.
• The changes aim to strike a fairer balance between renters and landlords, making the system more stable, safer and easier to understand.
• The government is investing in the courts to help tenants and landlords see justice quicker, with boosted powers and funding for councils now in place to tackle rogue landlords.