The Renters' Rights Act 2025: Your Rights as a Tenant Explained

Published by Luke Chorley, Solicitor, Complex Law

If you rent your home in England, some of the most significant changes to tenant rights in decades are on their way. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 27 October 2025, and will have its first major implementation on 1 May 2026. The Act is designed to give you greater security, stability, and protection in your home.

At Complex Law, we want to make sure you understand exactly what these changes mean for you — in plain, straightforward language.

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The Big Picture

For too long, millions of renters in England have lived with the uncertainty of knowing they could be asked to leave their home at any time, with little notice and no real explanation. The Renters' Rights Act fundamentally changes that. It gives you stronger rights, clearer protections, and real tools to challenge poor practice.

What's Changing for Tenants?

1. No More "No Fault" Evictions

This is the most important change. Section 21 — the law that allowed landlords to evict you simply by serving notice, with no reason required — is being abolished.

If you've received an eviction notice and aren't sure if it's valid, contact Complex Law today — we'll help you understand your rights and whether you need to take action.

2. More Secure Tenancies

Fixed-term tenancies are being replaced with periodic(rolling) tenancies for those in the private renting sector. You'll be able to stay in your home for as long as you want and leave when you're ready by giving 2 months' notice.

You'll also benefit from a 12-month protected period at the start of any new tenancy — during which your landlord cannot evict you to move back in or to sell the property.

The new legislation does, however, provides 37 reformed grounds for which your landlord would be able to re-take possession of your home, If you are served with a possession notice, it is important that you act quickly and instruct a solicitor.

If you're unsure how these changes affect your current tenancy, get in touch with Complex Law today — we'll walk you through exactly where you stand

3. Protection from Eviction When Rent Arrears Are Temporary

We all know life can throw financial curveballs. The Act increases the threshold for mandatory eviction due to rent arrears from 2months to 3 months, and extends the notice period your landlord must give from 2 weeks to 4 weeks.

This gives you more time and breathing room to get back on track before eviction proceedings can begin.

4. Fairer Rent Increases

Your landlord can still raise the rent to market rate, but the process is now much fairer and more transparent:

• Rent can only be increased once per year
• Your landlord must give you at least 2 months' notice using a section13 notice
• If you think the increase is above market rate, you can challenge it at the First-tier Tribunal
• The Tribunal cannot award a higher rent than what your landlord originally proposed — so you can challenge without risk of paying more
• Rent increases won't be backdated — the new rent only applies from the date the Tribunal makes its decision

If you believe your rent increase is unfair, don't just accept it — contact Complex Law today for advice on your options.

5. New Protections — A Summary

The Act brings a raft of other protections that directly benefit you, although some of the below reforms are expected to come in for the private sector later than that of the social sector:

• Decent Homes Standard — for the first time, your privately rented home must legally meet minimum safety and quality standards
• Awaab's Law — your landlord must deal with serious hazards like damp and mould within set timeframes. If they don't, you can take action
• Right to keep a pet — your landlord must genuinely consider any request for a pet and cannot unreasonably say no
• No rental discrimination — it is now illegal for landlords or letting agents to refuse you because you have children or receive benefits such as Universal Credit or Housing Benefit
• No rental bidding — landlords must advertise a set asking rent and cannot ask for or accept offers above it. No more being outbid for your home
• No large rent in advance — landlords cannot demand large upfront rent payments before you've signed a tenancy agreement. Once signed, they can ask for no more than one month's rent in advance

6. A New Ombudsman — Free Help When Things Go Wrong

A brand new Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman is being created. It's free for tenants to use, and it can investigate complaints about your landlord's behaviour, actions, or inaction.

If your complaint is upheld, the ombudsman can order your landlord to apologise, provide information, take action to fix a problem, or pay you compensation. Their decisions are binding on your landlord.

Again, this service is still in development and is not expected to be established until 2028.

If your landlord isn't treating you fairly, you don't have to face it alone — contact Complex Law today and we'll help you understand your options before taking the next step.

7. A New Private Rented Sector Database

From late 2026, landlords will be required to register themselves and their properties on a new national database. This means you'll be able to check information about your landlord and your property before you even sign a tenancy — helping you make more informed decisions.

Practical Tips for Tenants

1. Know your current tenancy type — check whether you're on a fixed-term or periodic tenancy, as this affects how the transition will work for you.
2. Keep records of everything — document any repairs requests, rent payments, and communications with your landlord in writing.
3. Challenge unfair rent increases — don't be afraid to use the Tribunal process; under the new rules, you cannot end up paying more than your landlord originally asked.
4. Report poor conditions — damp, mould, and safety hazards must now be dealt with promptly. Report them in writing and keep a record.
5. Know your protection if you receive benefits — it will be illegal for landlords to turn you away because of this. If you experience discrimination, you can report it to your local council.
6. Ask about pets properly — make your request in writing so there's a clear record if you need to challenge a refusal.
7. Seek legal advice if you receive an eviction notice — under the new rules, your landlord needs a valid ground. Don't assume you have to leave without getting advice first.

How Complex Law Can Help

Whether you're facing an eviction, dealing with an unresponsive landlord, challenging a rent increase, or just want to understand your rights under the new system, our team at Complex Law is here to help.

We're experienced in housing law, and we'll always give you advice that's clear, practical, and on your side.

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This blog is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your circumstances, please contact our team directly.

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