{"id":30734,"date":"2026-05-01T05:08:20","date_gmt":"2026-05-01T09:08:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/?p=30734"},"modified":"2026-05-01T05:19:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T09:19:12","slug":"the-british-renters-rights-act-comes-into-force-what-it-means-for-tenants-and-landlords","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/2026\/05\/01\/the-british-renters-rights-act-comes-into-force-what-it-means-for-tenants-and-landlords\/","title":{"rendered":"The British Renters’ Rights Act comes into force – what it means for tenants and landlords"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Described as the biggest shake-up to renting in England for more than 30 years, new laws giving tenants more rights start on Friday 1 May 2026.<\/b><\/p>\n

The Renters’ Rights Act aims to give more stability and security to the 11 million people who rent from private landlords.<\/p>\n

The new rules also mean big changes for landlords, with some warning that there could be delays evicting bad tenants from their properties.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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How long will tenants be able to rent a property for?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Fixed-term tenancies, where renters are tied into contracts lasting for 12 or 24 months, are banned under the new rules. Instead, properties will be rented on a “periodic” or rolling basis.<\/p>\n

This means that tenants who wish to remain in a property can do so. The government says the change will provide renters with greater security.<\/p>\n

Tenants who want to leave can give two months’ notice. The government says this will end “the injustice of tenants being trapped paying rent for substandard properties”.<\/p>\n

Existing tenants do not need to sign a new contract as the change happens automatically.<\/p>\n

If you rent your home, your landlord or agent must provide you with an\u00a0information sheet about the changes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Renters’ Rights Act applies to England. Scotland has had periodic agreements for tenancies since 2017, but Wales and Northern Ireland still allow fixed-term contracts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Will landlords be able to evict people for no reason?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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More than 11,000 households in England had their homes repossessed by bailiffs following a Section 21 “no-fault” eviction in the year to June 2025.<\/p>\n

Under the new law, it is significantly harder to evict tenants.<\/p>\n

Any valid eviction notices issued before the end of April 2026 still apply.<\/p>\n

But from 1 May, a landlord deciding to evict a tenant must have a valid legal reason to do so.<\/p>\n

This includes where the landlord wants to sell or move into a property – but not within the first 12 months of a tenancy.<\/p>\n

Where a tenant is significantly behind on rent – known as being in rent arrears – the landlord will usually have to wait until they are owed three months’ money before giving notice.<\/p>\n

However tenants who damage the property or commit antisocial behaviour can be given notice at any point.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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How much notice do landlords have to give when they have a valid reason to evict a tenant?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Landlords need to give four months’ notice.<\/p>\n

Under the new rules, if a tenant does not leave after that period, a judge will decide whether to order possession of the property.<\/p>\n

If the tenant has significant rent arrears, they can be given four weeks’ notice.<\/p>\n

If the tenant has committed antisocial behaviour, a landlord can go to court immediately upon giving notice.<\/p>\n

In court, the landlord must prove the grounds for eviction have been met, and the tenant can provide a defence.<\/p>\n

The court will not be able to award possession for 14 days after notice was given, to allow tenants time to access support.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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How have landlords reacted to the changes to eviction rules?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Some landlord groups are concerned that requiring court hearings for disputes could worsen already lengthy delays<\/p>\n

According to the Ministry of Justice, private landlords currently wait 26 weeks – the median figure – between bringing a claim and being able to repossess a property. Ten years ago, the figure was approximately 16 weeks.<\/p>\n

The government says it is recruiting up to 1,000 judges and tribunal members across all courts and tribunals.<\/p>\n

Some landlords have warned that they could leave the market because of the changes.<\/p>\n

Advice for landlords published by the government<\/a>\u00a0includes a reminder that tenants must be given the information sheet on how the Renters’ Rights Act affects their tenancy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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