Tenant Rights in the UK: What Every Renter Should Know in 2026

Renting comes with real legal protections most tenants never fully use, simply because they don't know they exist. Here's a plain-English rundown of the key ones as of 2026.

Your deposit must be protected

If you paid a deposit for an assured shorthold tenancy, your landlord must place it in a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme within 30 days of receiving it, and give you prescribed information about where it's held. If they don't, you can claim compensation of one to three times the deposit amount through the courts.

You can't be evicted without proper process

Since the Renters' Rights Act 2025 abolished Section 21 "no-fault" evictions, a landlord can only regain possession by relying on a specific statutory ground under Section 8 — such as rent arrears, wanting to sell, or moving in themselves — and following the correct notice process. They cannot simply ask you to leave because a fixed term has ended (fixed terms no longer exist for new tenancies at all).

Your landlord must keep the property in repair

Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, your landlord is responsible for keeping the structure, exterior, and key installations (heating, water, electrics) in repair — regardless of what your tenancy agreement says. You have a right to report disrepair and, in serious cases, to escalate to your local council's environmental health team.

Rent increases must follow a process

Your landlord can't simply demand more rent whenever they like. For most periodic tenancies, they must use the correct statutory notice (commonly a Section 13 notice) giving at least one month's notice for most tenancies, and you have the right to challenge an increase you believe is above market rate at a tribunal.

Protection from harassment and illegal eviction

It's a criminal offence under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 for a landlord to harass a tenant or evict them without following the correct legal process — for example, changing the locks, cutting off utilities, or removing belongings. If this happens to you, it's worth contacting your local council or a solicitor urgently.

The right to know who you're renting from

You're entitled to know your landlord's name and an address for service of notices — and, since the Renters' Rights Act 2025, further transparency requirements apply, including a database landlords must register on.

Frequently asked questions

Can my landlord increase my rent as often as they like?

No — for most tenancies, rent can only be increased using the correct statutory process, commonly no more than once every 12 months, and you can challenge an increase you believe is above market rate.

What should I do if my landlord won't return my deposit?

Raise it in writing first, then use your deposit protection scheme's free dispute resolution service — usually faster and cheaper than court. If your deposit wasn't protected at all, you may be able to claim compensation instead.