Whether you’re renting a student house or flat, or living in private or University halls, the Renters’ Rights Act comes into force in May 2026 and could impact your living and your financial situation. It’s important you understand these changes so you’re ready to act this May if you need to.
Our housing partner, Liverpool Student Homes, have a set of webpages with more detailed information for your specific circumstances.
Visit the Liverpool Student Homes information pages
On these pages, you can find information if you are currently living in:
- A flat or house with a fixed-term tenancy
- A private hall with a fixed-term tenancy
- University halls
- Any other accommodation with a licence agreement
What will change from 1 May?
- The type of tenancy agreement your accommodation provider or landlord must give you is changing.
- If you have a fixed term tenancy, this will change to a rolling tenancy, known as an Assured Periodic Tenancy.
- This means that to end your new rolling periodic tenancy and move out, you must give two full months’ notice in writing to the accommodation provider. Your old fixed-term contract won’t end automatically anymore.
- There are also changes to rules about landlords requesting advance rent payments from you and to rent increases, protecting you better from these.
Action you need to take from 1 May
You need to act from 1 May if you want your tenancy to end as soon as possible after that date. If your current fixed-term tenancy is due to end on 30 June, you’ll need to give notice on 1 May when it becomes a rolling tenancy. You’ll need to give written Notice to Quit to your accommodation provider. Alternatively, you can contact your accommodation provider to discuss the end of your tenancy and agree an end date. Read more about giving notice.
Other key information about these changes
No more “no-fault” evictions
One of the biggest changes is the end of Section 21 “no-fault” evictions. Previously, your landlord could ask you to leave a property without giving a specific reason.
Under the new law, landlords will only be able to evict you using legally defined grounds. For example, this could include serious rent arrears, antisocial behaviour, or if the landlord plans to sell the property or move into it themselves.
The change is designed to give renters more stability and prevent sudden evictions.
Limits on rent increases
The new rules will also place limits on how often your rent can increase. In most cases, your landlord will only be allowed to raise rent once per year.
If you believe a rent increase is unfair or excessive, you will also have the right to challenge it through a tribunal.
Rent in advance and guarantors
Landlords of shared houses and of private halls which are not part of the National Code will no longer be able to ask you for more than one month’s rent in advance when you agree your tenancy. Landlords may ask you for a UK based guarantor. If you’re unable to provide a UK guarantor and want to rent accommodation that requires one, we’ve partnered with Housing Hand to help you provide a qualifying UK Guarantor when renting in the private sector and purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA). You can find out more about this service on these webpages.
More information and where to get advice
Unipol, who operate the National Code for student housing, also have a Student Guide to the Renters’ Right Act, which you may find useful. Full details from the UK Government about the Renter’s Rights Act can be found here.
You can also get advice from the Guild and from Liverpool Student Homes.