Is this article legal advice?

No. This article is general information only — it explains how the law works in broad terms. It does not take your personal circumstances into account and does not create any lawyer-client relationship. For advice about your own situation, use the Law Society's Find a Solicitor tool, or seek free guidance from Citizens Advice.

Where can I read the original law this article is based on?

All UK Acts of Parliament and statutory instruments are published in full on legislation.gov.uk, maintained by The National Archives. Court judgments are published on BAILII. If this article cites a specific statute or case, the citation in the article links directly to the relevant section.

How do I know this article is up to date?

Each article shows a "reviewed" date in the byline. When a relevant law changes, we update the article and revise the date. For the most current version of any statute, always check legislation.gov.uk — it marks sections that have been amended or are not yet in force. Bills moving through Parliament are tracked on Parliament.uk.

Can I share or quote this article?

You may share the link to this page. If you quote from it, please attribute it to LawTheGuide and note the date you accessed it, as content may be updated. For official or formal use, always cite the primary source — the statute or judgment — rather than this article. The official text is what courts and tribunals apply.

What if the law is different in my country or region?

Each article notes the jurisdiction it covers. Most LawTheGuide content covers England and Wales civil law. Scotland, Northern Ireland, and other countries have different legal systems — some rules are the same, many are not. mygov.scot covers Scottish law, and nidirect.gov.uk covers Northern Ireland. For other jurisdictions, seek local legal advice.

Your rights as a private renter in England — Articles

Private renters in England have more statutory protections than many realise — and several new rights have come into force in 2026 under the Renters' Rights Act. Here is what you are entitled to.

The right to a habitable home

Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, s.11, your landlord must keep the structure and exterior of the property in repair, and keep all installations for gas, water, electricity, and heating in working order. The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 extended this by requiring the property to remain fit for habitation throughout the tenancy — giving tenants the right to take the landlord to court directly if this standard is not met.

Deposit protection

Any deposit you pay must be protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days of receipt. The three approved schemes — DPS, mydeposits, and TDS — provide free dispute resolution if you disagree about deductions. If the landlord fails to protect the deposit, they can be ordered to pay you up to three times the deposit amount under the Housing Act 2004, s.214.

Rent increases

Your landlord can only increase rent once per year on a periodic tenancy and must give at least two months' written notice using the prescribed Form 4. If you think the increase is above market rate, you can challenge it at the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) — the GOV.UK rental increase guidance explains the process.

Eviction notice

Under the Renters' Rights Act 2026, Section 21 "no fault" evictions have been abolished for new tenancies. A landlord can only seek possession on one of the specified grounds in Schedule 2 of the Housing Act 1988 — for example, rent arrears, damage to the property, or the landlord needing to sell. The minimum notice period for most grounds is four months. Citizens Advice tenant rights has a full list of the grounds and notice periods.

The Decent Homes Standard

For the first time, the Decent Homes Standard — previously applicable only to social housing — now applies to the private rented sector. Your landlord must ensure the property is free from category 1 hazards as assessed under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS). Local councils have enforcement powers and can require landlords to remedy hazards. Report serious hazards to your local council's housing team.

This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Always check the official source and consult a qualified lawyer for your situation.

The right to a habitable home

Deposit protection

Rent increases

Eviction notice

The Decent Homes Standard

Questions about this article