Information for tenants about the Renters Rights Act 2025

• Most assured shorthold tenancies changed to assured periodic tenancies on 1 May 2026.
• This means your tenancy is usually a “rolling” month by month tenancy and doesn’t have a fixed end date.
• If you already have a written tenancy agreement, you don’t need a new one just because the law changed.
• If you want to move out: you can usually end your tenancy by giving your landlord at least 2 months’ notice.
• If your landlord wants you to leave: Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions have ended. Your landlord must have a valid legal reason and follow the correct legal steps.

What your landlord can do depends on when they served the notice and whether the notice is valid. If you receive a notice, do not ignore it. Check what type of notice it is, the date it was served, the reason given, and the notice period.

If your landlord served notice before 1 May 2026

If your landlord served a Section 21 or Section 8 notice before 1 May 2026, they may still be able to continue with possession action under the previous rules, but only if the notice was served correctly and remained valid immediately before 1 May 2026.

What this means for you

• A Section 21 notice served before 1 May 2026 may still be used in some cases, but it must have been served correctly and must still be valid.
• A Section 8 notice served before 1 May 2026 will usually follow the possession grounds and notice periods that applied at the time it was served.
• If the notice is invalid, your landlord may need to start the process again using the rules that apply from 1 May 2026.
• If you are unsure whether the notice is valid, you should contact Salford Housing Options Service.

If your landlord serves notice on or after 1 May 2026

From 1 May 2026, landlords can no longer use a Section 21 ‘no fault’ notice to evict private tenants. If your landlord wants possession of the property, they must normally use the Section 8 process and give a valid legal reason, known as a ground for possession.

What to check

• Your landlord should not serve a Section 21 notice for a private rented tenancy on or after 1 May 2026.
• Your landlord will usually need to serve a Section 8 notice, using Form 3A or a form that is substantially the same.
• The notice should explain the legal ground your landlord is relying on and why they think it applies.
• The ground used will affect how much notice you should receive and what evidence your landlord may need.
• You do not have to leave just because a notice period ends. If you do not leave, your landlord will normally need to apply to the court for a possession order.

Common reasons a landlord may give for possession

A landlord may be able to ask the court for possession in certain situations. Examples include where:

• the landlord intends to sell the property;
• the landlord or a close family member intends to move into the property;
• there are significant rent arrears;
• there has been antisocial behaviour

If you receive a notice

If your landlord gives you an eviction notice or notice seeking possession, you should:

• check the date the notice was served;
• check whether it is a Section 21 notice or Section 8 notice;
• check the reason or ground for possession given on the notice;
• check whether the notice period is correct;
• keep copies of the notice, tenancy agreement, rent records and any messages with your landlord or agent;
• do not move out unless you are ready to do so or have taken advice; and
• get advice from Salford Housing Options Service as early as possible.

This information is a general summary only. Your rights will depend on your tenancy, the type of notice you have received, the dates involved and the circumstances of your case, contact Salford Housing Options Service for advice.

What you should get in writing depends on when your tenancy started and what paperwork you already have.

If you already have a written tenancy agreement, you don’t need a new one. But your landlord or agent should give you the Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet by 31 May 2026.

• Tenancy started before 1 May 2026 (and you have something in writing): you should get the Information Sheet by 31 May 2026.
• Nothing in writing: your landlord has to give you written details of the key terms of your tenancy.
• New tenancies from 1 May 2026: your landlord has to give you written information about the tenancy (usually a written tenancy agreement).
• If your landlord does not do these, they may be in breach

Rent increases are limited to once per year

• Your rent can normally only go up once a year, and your landlord has to give you at least 2 months’ notice.
• If you think the new rent is too high, you may be able to challenge it (for example, through the First-tier Tribunal).

Limits on rent in advance

• A landlord or agent cannot ask you to pay rent before you’ve signed the tenancy agreement.
• Once you’ve signed, they can ask for up to 1 month’s rent in advance.

Rental bidding is banned

• Property adverts must show a clear rent amount.
• Landlords and agents must not ask for (or accept) offers above the advertised rent.

Landlords and letting agents can only charge tenants permitted payments. If you are asked to pay any other fee, it may be prohibited.

Payments you may be asked to pay

• Rent – rent can be charged once the tenancy agreement has been signed. From 1 May 2026, a landlord or agent should not ask for, encourage or accept rent before the tenancy agreement is signed. After signing, they can usually ask for up to one month’s rent in advance before the tenancy starts.
• Tenancy deposit – a refundable security deposit. Most tenancy deposits cannot be more than five weeks' rent. If the annual rent is £50,000 or more, the maximum deposit is usually six weeks' rent
• Holding deposit – a refundable payment to reserve a property, capped at one week’s rent.
• Changes you request – reasonable costs if you ask to change the tenancy.
• Ending the tenancy early – reasonable costs if you ask to leave early or do not give the correct notice.
• Utilities and household bills – payments for things such as utility bills, communication services, TV licence and council tax, if your tenancy agreement says you are responsible for them.
• Default fees – limited to late payment of rent and replacement of lost keys or security devices, and only where these are written into the tenancy agreement.

Important points

• Any charge that is not on the permitted list may be prohibited.
• Default fees must be reasonable and only apply in limited circumstances.
• Letting agents must publish their fees on their website. If a property is advertised on another website, the advert should include the fees or link to where the fees are listed.
• If you think you have been charged an unlawful fee, keep evidence of the payment request, seek advice and report it via the below link.

From 1 May 2026, many private rented tenancies became assured periodic tenancies. If you are a student renting privately, this may give you more flexibility and protection from unfair eviction. Different rules may apply if you live in university halls or purpose-built student accommodation, so it is important to check what type of accommodation you live in.

• If you rent a private student house or flat, the new tenancy rules may apply to you.
• If you live in university halls or purpose-built student accommodation, different rules may apply.
• Before moving out, signing a new agreement, or responding to a landlord’s notice, check what type of accommodation you live in and get advice if you are unsure.

Advice for students

• Check your accommodation type. Your rights may depend on whether you rent privately, live in university halls, or live in purpose-built student accommodation.
• Read your tenancy agreement. Check how your tenancy works and what notice rules apply.
• Keep important documents. Save your tenancy agreement and any emails, letters or messages from your landlord or letting agent.
• Get advice early. If your landlord gives you notice or asks you to sign a new agreement, get advice from Salford Housing Options Service.
• Ground 4A possession for student HMOs (House in Multiple Occupation) - Ground 4A may apply to some student HMOs where the property is let to full-time students and needed for a new group of students for the next academic year. A property is usually an HMO if at least three tenants live there, they form more than one household, and they share a toilet, bathroom or kitchen. Your landlord must normally have given advance notice that they may use Ground 4A. They must also give at least four months’ notice before applying to court. Ground 4A may not apply if your tenancy was agreed more than six months before it started.
  If you receive a Ground 4A notice, check whether it applies and get advice before you respond or move out. Seek advice from Salford Housing Options Service, details below.

• A landlord or letting agent must not treat you unfairly (or refuse to rent to you) just because you have children or you get benefits.
• This includes withholding information about a property (including its availability), preventing them from viewing it and refusing to grant a tenancy.

• You can ask your landlord if you can keep a pet. They have to consider your request and should explain why if they say no.

• If your tenancy started before 1 May 2026 and you already have your terms in writing, your landlord or agent should give you the official Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet by 31 May 2026.
• You should be given the document itself (printed or a PDF attachment). Just sending a link isn’t enough.
• If you don’t get it, ask your landlord/agent for it first. If you still don’t get it, you can report it to the council.
• You can view it on GOV.UK: The Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026.