Major changes will be introduced from the start of next month, affecting millions of people across the UK who rent a property from a landlord. As of May 1, 2026, tenants and landlords will face new rules and regulations thanks to a new Renters’ Rights Act.

It marks the biggest reform to the private rented sector in decades. On social media, the official account for Gov.uk has shared a list of the upcoming changes.

In a new update posted on April 30, Gov.uk said: “Five key changes for tenants from 1st May 2026. The new Renters’ Rights Act means: Landlords can no longer evict tenants through no-fault evictions – they need a valid reason.”

It continues: “No more bidding wars – landlords can’t ask for more than the advertised rent price. Landlords can only ask for a maximum of one month’s rent upfront.

“Landlords can’t just say no to pets – they must consider requests reasonably. No more fixed-term tenancy contracts. Rolling contracts will give more flexibility.”

A statement on the Gov.uk website reads: “Reform of the sector is long overdue, and we will act where previous governments have failed. While the majority of landlords provide a good service, the private rented sector currently provides the least affordable, poorest quality and most insecure housing of all tenures.

“Millions of people in England live day in, day out with the knowledge that they and their families could be uprooted from their home with little notice and minimal justification, and a significant minority of them are forced to live in substandard properties for fear that a complaint would lead to an instant retaliatory eviction.”

What does an overview of the Act’s measures look like?

• Abolish section 21 evictions and move to a simpler tenancy structure
• Ensure possession grounds are fair to both parties
• Provide stronger protections against backdoor eviction
• Introduce a new Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman
• Create a Private Rented Sector Database
• Give tenants strengthened rights to request a pet in the property
• Apply the Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector
• Apply ‘Awaab’s Law’ to the sector
• Make it illegal for landlords and agents to discriminate against prospective tenants in receipt of benefits or with children
• End the practice of rental bidding by prohibiting landlords and agents from asking for or accepting offers above the advertised rent.
• Strengthen local authority enforcement
• Strengthen rent repayment orders

The changes mean renters across Britain will have a fairer shot at finding a pet-friendly home from May 1, as the Renters’ Rights Act comes into force. Under the new legislation, landlords must consider pet requests on a case-by-case basis, making blanket bans far harder to justify.

This change addresses a long-standing issue for renters. Research from Rover.com, an online marketplace for pet care, reveals that over a third (34%) of tenants say they have previously been denied a property because of a pet, while many have been hit with surcharges averaging £288, simply to keep their pets with them.

As the Renters’ Rights Act comes into effect this week, new consumer research from Rightmove reveals that while awareness of the upcoming rental laws is high, many renters still lack confidence in understanding what the new rules mean for them.