Martin Lewis on the Renters Rights Act: What Changed

The Renters Rights Act 2025 brought major private renting changes into force in England from 1 May 2026. Section 21 has gone, most ASTs have converted to assured periodic tenancies and landlords need to rethink their documents.

Martin Lewis supported the introduction of an independent private rental ombudsman, arguing that renter-landlord disputes are often personal, stressful and difficult to resolve without a proper escalation route. That fits the wider direction of the Act: more formal rights, clearer processes and stronger enforcement.

The Main Changes From 1 May 2026

What This Means for Landlords

If you rent out property in England, old fixed-term AST wording is now risky. It may include clauses that no longer reflect how the tenancy actually works. Landlords should check tenancy agreements, notices, rent increase wording, possession clauses and tenant information processes.

The new framework means a landlord normally needs a valid ground for possession. The paperwork should make sense with the actual legal route you may need to use later, especially around rent arrears, sale, moving back in, breach of tenancy and anti-social behaviour.

What This Means for Tenants

Tenants have more security because their landlord cannot simply end the tenancy without a legal reason. If a landlord wants possession, they must use the correct process and, if challenged, explain the ground relied on.

Tenants should still keep good records. Save tenancy agreements, deposit documents, repair requests, rent payment evidence and landlord messages. Strong records are useful whether a dispute goes to the landlord, council, ombudsman or court.

Written Terms Now Matter More

A tenancy agreement is no longer just a formality. It needs to reflect the assured periodic tenancy framework, the absence of Section 21 and the current possession rules. If the agreement is built around the old law, both sides may misunderstand their rights.

The Takeaway

The Renters Rights Act changed the basic shape of renting in England. For landlords, the safest starting point is updated documents. For tenants, the key is knowing that the old no-fault eviction route has gone and that reasons, notices and evidence now matter.