If you rent your home from a private landlord, or if you are a private landlord in Knowsley, there are some important changes you should be aware of.
The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 comes into force on Friday, 1 May 2026 and introduces new rules designed to make private renting fairer and more secure.
What this means if you rent your home
The biggest change is that your landlord can no longer ask you to leave without giving a valid reason. This is known as the end of “no-fault” (Section 21) evictions.
Other key changes include:
- Your tenancy will now roll on month to month, giving you more stability and flexibility. This applies no matter what tenancy agreement you previously had — your existing contract will automatically move to the new type of tenancy on Friday, 1 May 2026. You do not need to sign a new agreement.
- If you want to move out, you can do so at any time by giving your landlord two months’ notice in writing. Previously, many tenants were locked into a fixed term and could not leave early.
- Your landlord can only make increases to your rent once a year using a formal process, and you have the right to challenge an increase you think is unfair without worrying about being evicted in response.
- Landlords can no longer refuse to let you rent their property simply because you receive benefits or have children.
- You have the right to ask your landlord if you can keep a pet, and they cannot refuse without a good reason.
These changes are designed to give you greater security and peace of mind in your home, and to make sure you are treated fairly.
What this means if you are a landlord
- After Friday, 1 May, you can no longer issue a Section 21 “no-fault” eviction notice. (Any Section 21 eviction notices issued before 1 May 2026 must be followed up with a Court Order, which has to be obtained by 31 July 2026, or within 6 months of the notice being served, whichever is sooner.)
- All tenancies are now rolling monthly agreements. Fixed-term tenancies no longer apply.
- If you wish to increase the rent, you must use the formal Section 13 process. You cannot increase the rent within 12 months of the last increase (including increases made before 1 May 2026).
- You will need to register your property on a new national database when it launches later this year.
- You must give all existing tenants a Government information sheet by Sunday, 31 May.
- You can still ask a tenant to leave for legitimate reasons, such as if you want to sell the property or move in yourself, but you must follow the correct legal process and give at least four months’ notice.
The new rules are aimed at driving up standards and removing bad practice from the sector, which benefits responsible landlords by creating a more level playing field. Landlords also benefit from clearer legal processes and a new national database that will help demonstrate compliance.
Does this affect social housing tenants?
These changes apply to private tenancies only. If you rent your home from a housing association or another social landlord such as Livv Housing, these rules do not currently apply to your tenancy. The Government has said that similar changes for social housing tenants will follow at a later date, but no timeline has been confirmed.
Where to find out more
More information on the Renters’ Rights Act, and what to do if you need guidance or wish to make a complaint about a landlord can be found on the council’s website.
A guide for tenants is available on the Government website here.
A guide for landlords is available on the Government website here.