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The Renters Rights Act for tenants

The Renters' Rights Act - for tenants

Overview

The way private renting works in England changed on 1 May. These changes come from the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.

These changes have been designed to give tenants greater security in their homes, strengthen protections and improve standards in the private rented sector.

This guidance explains what the changes mean for you as a tenant in Brent, including your rights, what may be different and where you can get support if you need it.

If you are worried about your housing situation, we encourage you to seek advice as early as possible so we can help you understand your options.

This information is intended as general guidance only and does not replace the law or independent legal advice.

What is changing from 1 May 2026

From 1 May 2026, new rules will come into force under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. These changes are designed to give tenants greater security, improve fairness and raise standards in the private rented sector.

Below is a summary of what this means for you as a tenant.

An end to “no fault” evictions

From 1 May 2026, your landlord will no longer be able to ask you to leave without giving a valid reason.

This means you can only be asked to leave if your landlord can rely on a legal reason set out in law, such as serious rent arrears, antisocial behaviour or if they need to sell or move into the property.

This change is intended to give you more stability and confidence in your home.

Changes to tenancy agreements

Most tenancies will become periodic, which means they will not have a fixed end date.

You will be able to stay in your home until you choose to leave or your landlord has a valid legal reason to end the tenancy.

You will be able to end your tenancy by giving at least two months’ notice.

When a landlord can ask you to leave

Landlords can still regain possession of a property, but only if they have a valid legal reason and follow the correct process.

This may include situations such as:

  • Serious rent arrears
  • Antisocial behaviour
  • The landlord selling the property
  • The landlord or a close family member moving in

Different reasons have different notice periods and landlords must follow the correct legal steps.

Changes to rent and advertising

Advertising rent

Landlords and letting agents must advertise a clear asking rent and must not encourage or accept offers above this amount. This is intended to make renting fairer and more transparent.

Increasing rent

In most cases, rent can only be increased once every 12 months and landlords must give at least two months’ notice using the correct legal process.

If you believe a rent increase is too high, you may have the right to challenge it.

Rent in advance

Landlords will not be able to ask for rent before a tenancy agreement is signed.

After signing, they can usually ask for up to one month’s rent in advance, which should then be paid regularly during the tenancy.

Fair access to renting

The new rules strengthen protections against discrimination.

Landlords and agents must not refuse you a property simply because you receive benefits or have children. Applications should be considered fairly based on your individual circumstances.

Keeping a pet

You will have the right to ask your landlord, in writing, for permission to keep a pet.

Landlords must consider your request and respond within 28 days. If they refuse, they must provide a valid reason.

Stronger protections and enforcement

Councils will have stronger powers to investigate and take action where landlords do not follow the law.

This helps ensure that tenants’ rights are upheld and that rented homes meet the required standards.

Need support?

If you are unsure how these changes affect you, or you are worried about your housing situation, we encourage you to contact us as early as possible so we can help you understand your options. Please email the PRS Sustainment and Compliance Team - PRSSustainmentandCompliance@brent.gov.uk

Read the full guidance for more detailed information - Renters’ Rights Act overview for tenants - GOV.UK

What tenants in Brent should do now

What you should do now as a tenant

There are steps you should take to understand your rights and prepare for any changes to your tenancy.

Understand your current tenancy

Take some time to review your tenancy agreement so you understand:

  • How much rent you pay and when
  • What your responsibilities are
  • What your landlord is responsible for
  • If you’re unsure, you can seek advice.

Keep records of your tenancy

Keep copies of important documents, including:

  • Your tenancy agreement
  • Any notices or letters from your landlord
  • Records of rent payments
  • Communication about repairs or issues

This can be helpful if there are any disputes or if you need advice.

Raise issues early

If you are experiencing problems in your tenancy, such as:

  • Difficulty paying rent
  • Repairs not being addressed
  • Concerns about losing your home

Do not wait. Contact your landlord or seek advice as early as possible. Early action can help prevent issues from escalating.

Be aware of your rights

The changes will strengthen your rights as a tenant.

You should feel confident to:

  • Ask questions about your tenancy
  • Raise concerns where something doesn’t seem right
  • Seek support if you are unsure

Speak to your landlord

If you are having difficulties, try to communicate with your landlord early.

In many cases, issues can be resolved through discussion before they become more serious.

Contact us for support

If you are worried about your housing situation or need advice, we encourage you to contact us as early as possible.

We may be able to:

  • Help resolve issues with your landlord
  • Support you to remain in your home
  • Explore your options if your situation changes

Email: PRSSustainmentandCompliance@brent.gov.uk

Phase 2: Changes expected from late 2026

What to expect next (from late 2026)

Further changes are expected towards the end of 2026 to improve how the private rented sector is managed and how issues are resolved.

A national landlord register

A new national database will be introduced, where landlords must register themselves and the properties they rent out.

For tenants, this means:

  • Greater transparency about who is responsible for your property
  • More accountability for landlords
  • Better oversight of the private rented sector

A new Landlord Ombudsman

A free, independent ombudsman service will be introduced to help resolve disputes between tenants and landlords.

This means you will have:

  • An easier way to raise complaints
  • Access to independent decisions
  • A way to resolve issues without going to court

What you should do

You do not need to take any action right now, but you should be aware of these upcoming changes.

If you are experiencing issues with your tenancy, do not wait for these changes to come into effect - we encourage you to seek advice as early as possible so we can support you.

Email: PRSSustainmentandCompliance@brent.gov.uk

Future standards and safety changes

Further changes are expected from 2027 to improve the safety, condition and quality of homes in the private rented sector.

Better standards for rented homes

The Decent Homes Standard is expected to be introduced for private rented properties.

This means all rented homes should meet a minimum standard, including being safe, in good repair, and free from serious hazards.

Stronger protections for damp and mould

Awaab’s Law is expected to be extended to private renting.

This will require landlords to take action within set timeframes to address serious issues such as damp and mould, helping to protect tenants’ health.

Improving how housing conditions are assessed

There are also plans to improve how councils assess health and safety risks in homes.

This will make it easier to identify problems and take action where standards are not met.

What this means for you

These changes are designed to ensure that all tenants live in homes that are safe and of a good standard.

If you have concerns about the condition of your home, we encourage you to raise them early so they can be addressed as soon as possible.

Email: PRSSustainmentandCompliance@brent.gov.uk

More information and guidance

Brent is committed to supporting tenants, landlords and residents to ensure homes are safe, secure and well managed.

As the Renters’ Rights changes are introduced, we will continue to update our guidance to help you understand your rights and what support is available.

Further guidance on renters’ rights

You can find more detailed national guidance on the Renters’ Rights Act, including what is changing and what it means for tenants, on the government’s private renting pages.

These guides explain your rights and what you can expect from your landlord and will be updated as the new rules are introduced.

Useful guides include:

Need support?

If you are unsure about your situation or need advice, we encourage you to contact us early so we can help you understand your options and prevent issues from escalating.

Email: PRSSustainmentandCompliance@brent.gov.uk

Last updated 06/05/26