On 27th October, the Renters’ Rights Act was passed into law, and it has since been announced that the bulk of the new changes will come into force on May 1st 2026.
This will:
End Section 21 ‘No Fault’ evictions
Abolish bidding wars
Ban discrimination against renters on benefits or with children
Implement secure open ended tenancies
Stop landlords asking for over 1 month of rent upfront
Stop landlords unreasonably declining pets
This is a landmark moment for renters and a real victory for the housing movement and ACORN, who have been at the forefront of the fight for renters’ rights for the past decade.
These reforms haven’t been handed to us from up high, but have come about thanks to the tireless campaigning of organised tenants fighting for the security they deserve.
This Act will finally do away with Section 21 evictions, the unfair mechanism landlords could use to evict a tenant for no reason, with just 2 months notice to leave. Not only was this a leading cause of homelessness, but it drove down standards of privately rented homes, with tenants scared to raise concerns for fear of a revenge eviction.
Other key changes include outlawing bidding wars and demands for multiple months rent up front, giving more power to local authorities to crack down on bad landlords, and introducing higher legal standards and more avenues for tenants to complain.
But there is more to be done. Where the Act improves security, access and raises minimum standards for renters, it doesn’t do anywhere near enough to address unaffordable rents, which is why ACORN will continue to campaign on private tenants rights and fight for rent controls.
There will be more information on the Act, renters’ new rights, and the next focus of our campaigning on these issues as we get closer to May 1st.