Wednesday 22-04-2026 - 14:10

This May will bring big changes to Renters’ Rights in England! However, these changes will depend on your rental arrangements.

Whilst these are not going to affect students living in student halls owned by the University or Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) such as Vita Students or Unite Students, there will be a lot of changes for students living in private housing.

The biggest changes

• Rolling monthly tenancies from 1st of May 2026
• 2 months' notice to leave your tenancy
• No more 'no-fault' evictions
• Ground 4A Notices
• Monthly rent payments
• One rent increase per year
• More rights to have pets

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Let's break these down for you:

Rolling monthly tenancies

From the 1st of May 2026, fixed-term tenancies will be replaced with periodic tenancies. This means your tenancy will roll on a monthly basis until it is ended by you or your landlord.  

2 Months' Leaving Notice

You can end your tenancy at any time by giving your landlord two months’ written notice.

If you are in a joint tenancy, one person giving notice will end the tenancy for everyone. If you or a housemate is thinking of leaving, it is important to discuss this with your housemates and landlord as soon as possible. You may be able to arrange a replacement tenant and set up a new tenancy for those who wish to remain in the property.

Abolition of "No-Fault" evictions

This is one of the most significant changes: from the 1st of May, landlords will no longer be able to issue Section 21 evictions. This means they must have a valid legal reason to ask you to leave the property. These may include, but are not limited to, anti-social behaviour and noise complaints, damage to the property, significant rent arrears, or changes in the landlord’s circumstances, such as selling the property.

As a result, you will have greater security as a tenant, including protection from being evicted simply for raising concerns about issues in your home.

Ground 4A notices

If you live in a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), landlords may be able to evict you over the summer using a Ground 4A notice. This allows them to ask you to leave at the end of the academic year, by giving you four months’ notice, with your move-out date between the 1st of June and the 30th of September. They can only do this if they told you in writing before your tenancy started (or included it in your contract) that Ground 4A applies. This rule only applies if everyone living in the property is a student.

Monthly rent payments

Moving forward, landlords will no longer be able to request more than a month's payment in advance, this also applies to international students who do not have UK guarantors.

One rent increase per year

Rent can only be increased once per year, in line with local market rates. Landlords must give at least two months’ notice through a Section 13 notice, and you have the right to challenge any increase you believe is too high.

No rental bidding wars

It is no longer allowed for landlords to accept rental offers above the advertised rent, which stops competitive bidding.

More rights to have pets

You can now request to have a pet, and landlords cannot unreasonably refuse it. This is great news if you are considering a pet to keep you company during your studies; just keep in mind that you are responsible for any damage it may cause.

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These changes are designed to give you more stability and confidence when renting, but it’s still important to understand how they apply to your own situation.

If you are unsure what this means for your tenancy, our Advice Team is here to support you. They are a free and confidential service, that can help you understand your contract, navigate any issues with your landlord, and make sure you are aware of your rights.