The Government has set a deadline when landlords in England will lose the power to evict tenants without providing justification, marking the most significant overhaul of rental legislation in three decades.

The changes are contained in the recently approved Renters’ Rights Act and will affect more than 11 million people across the country.

Housing Secretary Steve Reed announced the timeline yesterday and said ministers were “calling time” on rogue landlords, while giving responsible property owners sufficient notice to prepare.

The reforms could represent a major shift in the balance of power between landlords and tenants, with an estimated 4.4 million households who rented privately between 2021 and 2023 set to receive strengthened protections.

From May 1, 2026, all rental agreements will move to periodic or rolling contracts, replacing traditional 12 or 24-month fixed terms.

Tenants will be able to end their tenancies with two months’ notice, while landlords’ grounds for eviction will be limited to defined circumstances including rent arrears, property damage or antisocial behaviour.

The legislation bans competitive bidding between prospective tenants and introduces clearer rules for pet ownership requests. Landlords will be prohibited from discriminating against families with children or people receiving benefits, and rent increases will be limited to once a year.

Property owners who wish to sell or move into their properties may still evict tenants, although not within the first 12 months of any tenancy. Officials said this measure was designed to ensure stability for renters during the initial period of occupation.

Housing secretary Steve Reed said the Government had introduced the measures to protect tenants from exploitation.

Mr Reed said: “We’re now on a countdown of just months to that law coming in – so good landlords can get ready and bad landlords should clean up their act.”

Tenant advocacy groups have strongly supported the reforms. The Renters’ Reform Coalition, which includes Shelter, Generation Rent and Citizens Advice, highlighted the importance of ending Section 21 evictions.

Shelter’s Mairi MacRae said: “It is not the prospect of giving renters these vital rights that is fuelling record homelessness, but the gross injustice of no-fault evictions.”

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

• Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves SCRAP hated income tax raid plans in panic over voter fury
• Households urged to claim £750 cost of living support before Budget – with cash paid out in days
• M&S slammed for overpricing after selling two slices of bread for £4.50

Tom Darling from the Renters’ Reform Coalition, described the announcement as “huge news”, while Sarah Elliott of Shelter said tenants’ voices had “finally been heard”.

Campaign organisations argued the reforms would provide greater certainty and reduce the risk of sudden displacement. Property industry representatives have expressed concern about the implementation schedule.

Ben Beadle, chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, said the deadline was too tight, stating: “We have argued consistently that landlords and property businesses need at least six months from the publication of regulations to ensure the sector is properly prepared for the biggest changes it has faced for over 40 years.”

Shadow Housing Secretary Sir James Cleverly warned the reforms “will drive landlords from the market, reduce supply and send prices up for tenants”.

He predicted “a six-month fire sale with tenants forced out at short notice” before the May 2026 deadline.

Hampshire property owner Maureen Treadwell, whose family manages ten rental properties, described the legislation as “anti-landlord” with “draconian fines”. Ms Treadwell expressed concern about possible court delays when seeking to remove tenants for legitimate reasons.

The reforms apply to a significant proportion of England’s rental market. More than 11,000 households faced bailiff-enforced Section 21 evictions in the year to June.

Existing notices served before May 2026 will remain valid, though landlords must begin court proceedings by July 31, 2026. Mr Reed said he was “working with the Ministry of Justice to look at how we can ensure that there are not undue delays” when landlords need to remove tenants for reasons allowed under the new rules.

He added that the Government intended to support the courts in managing the expected transition.

England’s approach differs from that of other parts of the UK.

Scotland abolished no-fault evictions in 2017, while Wales and Northern Ireland still allow similar provisions to Section 21.

Wales increased notice periods to six months in 2022.

Our Standards:
The GB News Editorial Charter