Renters' rights, answered

Clear, plain-English answers to the most common questions we see from private renters in England - Section 21 after 1 May 2026, deposit protection, rent increases, repairs, illegal eviction, and the Renters' Rights Act 2025.

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Common questions

Is Section 21 still valid in 2026?

No new Section 21 notices can be served on or after 1 May 2026. Notices served before that date are still live during the transitional window, but they can be challenged on multiple grounds. From 1 May 2026 landlords must use the grounds-based Section 8 procedure under the Renters' Rights Act 2025.

Can my landlord evict me without a reason in 2026?

Not for new tenancies. From 1 May 2026 your landlord must use a Section 8 ground under the Housing Act 1988 (as amended by the Renters' Rights Act 2025) and serve a valid notice. For most grounds they must also go to court to get a possession order before you can be made to leave.

What if my deposit isn't protected?

Your landlord has 30 days from receiving the deposit to protect it in a government-approved scheme (DPS, MyDeposits, or TDS) and to give you prescribed information. If they didn't, you may be entitled to compensation of 1–3 times the deposit, and a Section 21 notice based on that tenancy is invalid until the deposit is returned.

How do I challenge a rent increase?

For a Section 13 notice, you can apply to the First-tier Tribunal before the proposed start date. For a notice served on or after 1 May 2026, the tribunal cannot set rent above the landlord's proposal. A saved earlier notice follows the former rules and may result in a higher rent. The date the notice was served matters.

How much notice does a landlord have to give before eviction?

Section 8 notice periods depend on the ground and service date. For post-1 May 2026 notices, Ground 8 usually needs four weeks, Grounds 1 and 1A four months, Ground 9 two months, Grounds 10 and 11 four weeks, and Grounds 7A and 14 allow a claim immediately after notice. A valid pre-May Section 21 notice could support a claim only if the court was asked to issue it by the applicable deadline, no later than 31 July 2026.

My landlord is ignoring repairs. What can I do?

Report the problem in writing with dates and photos, then give the landlord a reasonable chance to act. If they do not, contact the council's environmental health team or get advice about a county court claim under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. The First-tier Tribunal is not the ordinary repair-enforcement route.

What is illegal eviction and what are my rights?

Illegal eviction is when a landlord forces you out without a court order - changing the locks, removing your belongings, cutting off utilities, or using threats. It is a criminal offence under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977. You can call the police, report to the council's tenancy relations officer, and claim damages.

What are my rights under the Renters' Rights Act 2025?

The Renters' Rights Act 2025 abolished new Section 21 notices from 1 May 2026, converted private assured tenancies to a periodic model, changed Section 8 grounds, and restricts how and how often assured rent can be increased. It creates a future landlord-ombudsman framework, with mandatory membership scheduled for 2028, and provides later frameworks for Awaab's Law and a Decent Homes Standard in private renting.

Does this tool replace a solicitor?

No. Get Renters Rights provides clear legal information grounded in UK housing law, but it is not legal advice. For court cases, urgent homelessness, harassment, or large disputes, speak to a housing solicitor, Shelter, or Citizens Advice.

Do you store my answers or personal data?

No. Wizard answers are processed in your browser and sent to the backend only at the moment a letter is generated. They are not stored afterwards, and we don't keep a copy of the generated letter. We only hold an email address if you opt in to deadline reminders.

Is this service free to use?

Yes. Every checker is free - you get a clear verdict, statute references, your top issues, and next steps without paying. We offer optional paid reports for renters who want a deeper analysis and a ready-to-send letter.

Use the interactive checker on getrentersrights.com for the full step-by-step result.