What does the Renters’ Rights Act mean for you?
Citizens Advice Basingstoke is an independent charity providing free, confidential and impartial advice for local people.
Here, we look at the Renters’ Rights Act, which came into effect on 1st May 2026, bringing some big changes for renters in England, including:
- You can’t be refused by a landlord or letting agent because you have children or receive welfare benefits.
- You won’t have to enter a bidding war. Landlords can only advertise a fixed price and cannot accept higher than what they advertised for.
- You won’t have to pay more in advance. Landlords can only charge one month or four weeks’ rent before you move in.
- Your landlord will only be able to evict you if they have a reason, called a ‘ground’, e.g. if you have rent arrears, cause a nuisance to your neighbours or if they want to sell the property or live in it.
You can find out more about preparing to rent from a private landlord on the Citizens Advice website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/starting-to-rent-from-a-private-landlord/preparing-to-rent-from-a-private-landlord/
If you are in need of advice, whatever your enquiry involves, please call our Advice Line free on 0808 2787829. Details of our weekly drop-in advice sessions held in Buckskin, Oakridge, Popley and the town centre library can be found on www.cabasingstoke.org.uk.
Alternatively, please send in your enquiry online using our client enquiry form: www.cabasingstoke.org.uk/email.
If you are in need of advice, whatever your enquiry involves, please call our Advice Line free on 0808 2787829. Details of our weekly drop-in advice sessions held in Buckskin, Oakridge, Popley and the town centre library can be found on www.cabasingstoke.org.uk. Alternatively, please send in your enquiry online using our client enquiry form: www.cabasingstoke.org.uk/email.
National Citizens advice website www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Registered charity no 900116.
Previous Article : CAB Basingstoke – Heating Fuel Savings Advice