Renters' Rights Act 2025
The Renters' Rights Act is intended to give tenants stronger rights and started coming into effect from 1 May 2026.
After 1 May, a landlord
- must not ask for or accept more than the advertised rent
- must not discriminate against people who claim benefits or have children
- can ask for a holding deposit of 1 week's rent
If a landlord wishes to rent to you
- they can ask for a tenancy deposit, and this will usually be limited to 5 weeks' rent (although the council can pay more if they are helping you). The landlord must protect the deposit in a government approved scheme.
- during the pre-tenancy period (the time between the tenancy being signed and starting), the landlord can ask for the first month's rent to be paid. This cannot be more than 1 month's rent (although the council can pay more if they are helping you). The holding deposit can be used towards the first month's rent.
If you are renting from a private landlord:
- Your tenancy is or has automatically become an Assured Periodic Tenancy.
- Your landlord can only end your tenancy under a specified ground and must use a Section 8 notice, including if they wish to sell or move into your home. More information can be found at Assured tenancy forms - GOV.UK
- You can ask for permission to keep a pet, and your landlord cannot unreasonable refuse.
- Unless the landlord agrees that the tenancy can end sooner, you must give 2 months' notice if you wish to end the tenancy and that notice must expire at the end of a rent period.
- The landlord can only put up the rent once a year and must give 2 months' notice and use a section 13 notice Assured tenancy forms - GOV.UK.
Further provisions that do not yet have an implementation date include:
- Abolition of assured shorthold tenancies for social rented housing
- Creation of a new private landlord ombudsman
- Landlords required to register on a private landlord database
- Changes to how private landlords must respond to disrepair
The Renters' Rights Act does not apply to people lodging with a resident landlord.
More information can be found at:
Guide to the Renters' Rights Act - GOV.UK
Renters Rights Act: private tenants - Shelter England
If you are a tenant or landlord concerned about your rights or responsibilities, you can contact us online Contact us - Section 1 - Customer Self Service | Torridge District Council.
If you are concerned about disrepair in a rented property, further information about how the council can help is available at: My rented property is in poor condition, what can I do? | Torridge District Council.
