Renters’ Rights Act: What it means for you
Described as the biggest shake-up to renting in England for more than 30 years, a new law giving tenants more rights was formally approved at the end of October.
The government still needs to confirm how—and when—each of the changes will come into force.
The new rules will affect more than 11 million people living in England.
How long will I be able to rent a home for?
Under the new rules, properties will generally be rented on a “periodic” or rolling basis rather than under a fixed 12- or 24-month contract.
This means tenants wishing to stay longer can do so more easily, giving greater security of tenure.
If you want to leave, you would give two months’ notice instead of being tied in for a full year or longer.
(This currently applies to England only.)
Will a landlord be able to evict me for no reason?
The new law abolishes “no-fault” evictions (i.e., where the landlord gives a notice simply to end the tenancy without a specific fault).
After the first 12 months of the tenancy, a landlord will need to give four months’ notice if they wish to sell or move into the property themselves.
However, landlords still retain the right to evict if a tenant has damaged the property, behaved anti‐socially, or fallen significantly behind on rent – under the revised rules the tenant must owe three months’ rent (instead of two) for them to apply for eviction.
Landlords will no longer be able to evict tenants simply for complaining about poor conditions.
New standards will also apply, such as a “Decent Homes Standard” and the extension of “Awaab’s Law” (which addresses dangerous mould and hazards in rented homes).
When can a landlord increase my rent?
Landlords must give two months’ notice for a rent increase, and any increase must reflect the market rate.
If a tenant believes the increase is excessive, they will be able to challenge it at a tribunal.
The practice of “bidding wars” (where new tenants pay more than the advertised rent) will be ended.
How much deposit will I have to pay?
Rules around protected deposit schemes remain: landlords must continue to place deposits into a recognised scheme.
The maximum deposit the landlord can ask remains: five weeks’ rent if the annual rent is less than £50,000; six weeks if £50,000 or more.
However, landlords will only be able to ask for one month’s rent in advance (or 28 days’ rent for tenancies where rent period is less than one month).
What if I receive benefits or have children?
It will be illegal for landlords or letting agents to refuse prospective tenants simply because they receive benefits or have children.
Nevertheless, landlords and agents will still be able to carry out reference and affordability checks.
Can I have a pet in a rented home?
Yes — tenants will have the right to request permission to keep a pet, and landlords cannot “unreasonably” refuse.
Landlords may require pet insurance to cover any possible damage to their property.
How are rules changing for student accommodation?
For purpose-built student accommodation (e.g., university-owned halls or specialised providers), tenants can be given two weeks’ notice to leave.
For private landlords renting to students in houses of multiple occupation (HMO) where a tenancy was agreed for six months or less, the landlord can give four months’ notice—provided all residents are students and all parties are aware.
How have campaigners and landlords reacted to the new rules?
Campaign groups welcome the changes and describe them as a “generational upgrade” in renters’ rights.
Landlord associations say they will work with the government to make sure the changes are fair and workable—but they warn landlords may become more cautious about new tenants and the court system may struggle to handle challenges.
Why this matters for Nigerians in the UK
- Many Nigerian families live in the private rental sector in the UK. These reforms give you greater security and protection as tenants.
- If you’re on a visa, receiving benefits, or raising children, the protections against being denied housing because of those factors are particularly important.
- Understanding your rights helps you navigate the rental market more confidently—especially when dealing with rising rents, competition for housing, and short-term contracts.
- Culture and community matter: stability in your home underpins wellbeing, education outcomes, and long-term planning for you and your family.
- With cost of living pressures, these reforms aim to prevent some of the worst abuses in the rental sector (such as frequent evictions, inflated rents, or unsafe conditions).
Useful context
- The law applies to England and will not automatically apply to Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland (each country has its own rental laws).
- The full rollout of the reforms is phased—some parts may be implemented sooner than others, so it’s wise to stay updated.
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