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Know Your Renting Rights

Understanding your rights as a renter can help you make informed decisions, resolve problems and understand your landlord's responsibilities. SouthLet brings together official government guidance and independent support resources to help you find reliable information.

Where is your home?

Showing guidance for England. Housing law is different in each UK nation.

Topics

  1. Tenancy agreements and starting a tenancyWhat kind of tenancy you have and what you should be given at the start.
  2. Rent payments and rent increasesHow rent can be increased and how to challenge an increase.
  3. Deposits and deposit protectionWhere your deposit should be held and how to get it back.
  4. Repairs, maintenance and disrepairWhich repairs your landlord is responsible for and how to report them.
  5. Damp, mould and housing conditionsWhat to do about damp, mould and unsafe conditions.
  6. Eviction, possession and notice periodsWhen a landlord can ask you to leave and what notice they must give.
  7. Landlord access and tenant privacyWhen your landlord can come into your home.
  8. Pets and reasonable requestsAsking to keep a pet and how your landlord must respond.
  9. Discrimination and housing rightsProtection from unfair treatment when renting.
  10. Landlord responsibilities and safety requirementsGas, electrical, fire and energy safety duties.
  11. Complaints, disputes and redress schemesHow to complain and where to go if it isn't resolved.
  12. Ending a tenancy and moving outGiving notice, check-out and getting your deposit back.

England only

Renters' Rights Act 2025

The Act became law on 27 October 2025. It is being brought in over several phases, so not every part is in force yet. The status below follows the government's published implementation roadmap.

  • Local council investigatory powersIn force

    In force from 27 December 2025.

  • Assured periodic tenanciesIn force

    From 1 May 2026, most new and existing private tenancies became periodic, with no fixed end date. Tenants can usually leave with 2 months' notice.

  • Section 21 abolishedIn force

    From 1 May 2026, private landlords can no longer serve section 21 'no fault' notices.

  • Possession grounds and proceduresIn force

    From 1 May 2026, revised section 8 grounds apply, including a 12-month protected period before the selling or moving-in grounds can be used.

  • Rent increasesIn force

    From 1 May 2026, once a year via section 13, with at least 2 months' notice and the right to challenge at the Tribunal.

  • Rental bidding and rent in advanceIn force

    From 1 May 2026, no offers above the advertised rent, and no more than 1 month's rent in advance.

  • Children and benefits discriminationIn force

    Banned from 1 May 2026.

  • PetsIn force

    From 1 May 2026, landlords must consider requests, usually within 28 days, and give valid reasons for refusing.

  • Transitional rulesIn force

    Landlords of existing written tenancies had to give the government Information Sheet by 31 May 2026. Notices validly served before 1 May 2026 may still apply — check official guidance.

  • PRS Database and landlord registrationPlanned — not yet in force

    Rollout planned from late 2026. Check GOV.UK for current status.

  • Social rented sectorPlanned — not yet in force

    The government expects the reforms to apply to social housing in 2027.

  • PRS Landlord OmbudsmanPlanned — not yet in force

    Mandatory landlord membership expected in 2028.

  • Awaab's Law and Decent Homes Standard for private rentingProposed — subject to consultation

    Timescales subject to consultation.

Sources last checked 6 November 2026

Official guidance and support — England