UK Rental Market 2026: Legal Limits on Rent Increases for Landlords

Now that the Renters’ Rights Act has come into force, rent increases have just got far more regulated.

The Act introduced clearer rules designed to protect tenants from unfair or excessive rises.

Rent increases are now a more formal legal process governed by strict rules.

For landlords, this means rent reviews must be approached carefully and formally. But with the correct procedures and market evidence, you can adjust rents confidently while staying within the law.

How often can I increase rent under the Renters’ Rights Act?

In most cases, rent can only be increased once per year. And there can be no increase within the first 52 weeks (1 year) of a new tenancy.

This removes the flexibility you might have previously relied on and reinforces the need to set realistic rents from the outset.

Contractual rent review clauses written into tenancy agreements will be abolished and rendered void under the new Act.

Attempting to increase rent more frequently, or without following the correct statutory process, could result in disputes or legal challenges.

Kristjan Byfield, Mission Commander at The Depository, issues a word of advice for landlords planning a rent increase:

“How your tenants are cared for during their tenancy will likely dictate how your rent review process will go. Make sure you have tenants that genuinely love living in your homes - and be fair when reviewing the rent.

“Tenants are about to decide when they leave and what a rent review process looks like, so give them every reason to stay.”

Let’s get into the rules about increasing rent under the Renters’ Rights Act.

When do I need to use a Section 13 notice?

Informal agreements, such as verbal conversations or casual emails, are no longer sufficient.

As all tenancies have converted to periodic (rolling) tenancies, you must always use the prescribed legal mechanism: a Section 13 notice.

This is a formal statutory document that clearly sets out the proposed new rent and the exact date it will take effect.

Finally, you should keep detailed records of all rent reviews, communications and any Section 13 notices you have served. This not only supports compliance but also provides protection in the event of a dispute.

How much can I increase rent under the Renters’ Rights Act?

You can increase rent up to the current fair market rate. That means you should go by what the property would fetch if it were newly advertised to let today.

Before proposing an increase, research local market rents and be prepared to justify your decision.

Letting agents can provide useful benchmarks, helping ensure your figures are realistic and defensible.

Under the new system, tenants have stronger rights to dispute rent increases they believe exceed market value.

These challenges may be referred to a First-tier Tribunal, which will assess whether the proposed rent aligns with comparable properties in the area.

Crucially, the Tribunal can no longer set the rent higher than what the landlord initially proposed, meaning tenants effectively have ‘nothing to lose’ by challenging a hike.

The Tribunal will also no longer backdate increases, and the new rent will only apply from the date of the Tribunal's decision.

When you’re thinking about increasing rent, it’s worth considering tenant relationships. While the law may allow for an increase, large or sudden jumps can lead to dissatisfaction, increased turnover and void periods.

That means a measured, market-aligned approach will be more sustainable in the long term.

How much notice must I give before increasing rent?

Under the Renters' Rights Act 2025, the mandatory notice period for a Section 13 rent increase has been extended. You must provide your tenant with 2 months' written notice before the new rental amount comes into effect.

This notice period gives tenants more time to review the increase and, if necessary, challenge it.

How can a letting agent help with increasing rent?

Navigating the new legal landscape of the Renters' Rights Act can feel daunting. Rent reviews are now a strictly regulated legal procedure, so leaning on a professional letting agent can help protect your investment.

A good agent takes the guesswork out of the process by providing accurate, evidence-based market valuations. Since the new rules cap rent hikes at the current market rate, an agent’s access to hyper-local data ensures your proposed increase is fair, defensible and less likely to be challenged at a tribunal.

If a tenant does dispute the increase, your agent will be invaluable in compiling the necessary portfolio of comparable properties to justify the new rent. This handles any pushback objectively, preserving your relationship with the tenant and turning a potential legal minefield into a smooth, fully documented process.

Kristjan’s top tip for those already using a letting agent? Take this chance to get your tenants’ perspective.

“If you have a managing agent, now might be a good time to reach out to your tenants directly to see what their rental experience is like. There’s nothing like hearing things first hand and the Act means that great rental experiences will be even more vital in shaping top-performing property portfolios.”

Prefer to self-manage? Success comes down to meticulous preparation. You will need to track local market rents and ensure your figures are justifiable.

It’s also highly recommended that you join a professional body, such as the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), to ensure you have access to the correct Section 13 templates and a reliable support network should you need to defend an increase at a First-tier Tribunal.

Key takeaways

• From 1 May 2026, rent cannot be increased within the first year of a tenancy, and only once a year after that, using a Section 13 notice
• Proposed increases cannot exceed the current fair market rate
• Tenants now have stronger, risk-free rights to challenge hikes at a tribunal
• You must give tenants a full 2 months' written notice before an increase takes effect
• Documentation, market research and professional support can help you adjust rents while staying within the law

 

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by Blackstones

Renters’ Rights Act 2026 Explained, Key Changes Every Tenant and Landlord Should Understand

The Renters’ Rights Act came into force on 1 May 2026, bringing significant changes for tenants, landlords, and the wider lettings market across the UK. This guide outlines the key reforms, including the abolition of ‘no-fault’ evictions, new limits on rent increases, and updated rules around requests such as keeping pets.

Do you know how the Renters’ Rights Act will affect your tenancy? Or are you a landlord looking to get to grips with the new regulations?

Our guide to what’s changing will help you navigate your renting journey, whether you're new to renting, an existing tenant or renting out your property as a landlord.

What is the Renters’ Rights Act?

The Renters' Rights Act 2025 is a landmark piece of UK housing legislation designed to reform the private rented sector.

Having received Royal Assent in October 2025, the Act represents the most significant update to tenant and landlord laws in nearly 40 years.

The Act introduces a lot of changes that affect both landlords and tenants. Its primary purpose is to rebalance the rental market, providing more security and stability for private renters across England.

When does the Renters’ Rights Act start?

The Renters’ Rights Act will come into effect in phases. The first big milestone is 1 May 2026, bringing in new rules including those for evicting a tenant and the switch from fixed terms to periodic tenancies.

There will be more changes later in 2026, including a new ombudsman. And beyond that, there will be new EPC rating requirements and a Decent Homes Standard.

Renters’ Rights Act changes from 1 May 2026

New eviction process

Landlords now need a valid reason to evict a tenant, known as a ground for possession. You can find a list of the new, revised and existing grounds on the government’s website. There are new notice periods too, which may allow you to stay in your home for longer.

Landlords are still allowed to sell their property but they won’t be able to use this reason during the first 12 months of a tenancy. In addition to waiting 12 months, your landlord must give you at least 4 months’ notice.

Notice periods do depend on the reason for the eviction. If you are involved in severe anti-social or criminal behaviour, for example, your landlord doesn’t need to give any notice.

Evictions for rent arrears

A landlord can use Ground 8 (severe rent arrears) to evict you but they now have to wait longer to serve notice. This gives you more time to repay arrears.

A landlord can only use Ground 8 once you owe at least 3 months’ rent (or 13 weeks’ rent for a weekly tenancy). The notice period for severe arrears is also doubling, from 2 weeks to 4 weeks.

Landlords can use Ground 10 if you have arrears of less than 3 months, or Ground 11 if you frequently pay your rent late. It would, however, be up to a court to decide if the landlord’s eviction request was reasonable.

Challenging evictions

You can still challenge a landlord’s decision to evict you in court. This applies if you think your landlord is acting unfairly or if they haven’t followed the correct eviction procedure.

End of fixed-term tenancies

‘Rolling’ periodic tenancies have now become the only type of contract offered. If you currently have a fixed term tenancy, it automatically switched to a periodic one on 1 May 2026.

Periodic tenancies allow you to end your tenancy when it suits you, as long as you give your landlord 2 months’ notice.

Bidding wars banned

The price you see a property advertised for is the price you will pay, thanks to the new ban on bidding wars between tenants.

Landlords and letting agents have to set an asking price and stick to it. They must refuse higher offers, even if the tenant is willing to pay more.

Rent increase limits

Landlords are now limited to increasing your rent to once a year, using a Section 13 notice. And when they do so, they must set an increase that’s in line with local market rates.

If you think a rent increase is unreasonable, you can challenge it at the First-tier Tribunal. A challenge will be at a low fee, with no hearing cost.

Cap on rent in advance

Rent in advance is now capped at 1 month’s rent. The limit is designed to prevent tenants overcommitting themselves financially.

Rent in advance is usually paid between signing the agreement and the tenancy starting. You can still volunteer any sum of upfront rent during your tenancy.

End to discrimination

You cannot be excluded from the rental market just because you have children or receive benefits. Rental discrimination is now banned, with decisions based on affordability and referencing.

Right to request a pet

You now have a new right to request to keep a pet after you’ve moved into a property. Your landlord must consider the request. If they refuse, they have to give you a valid reason in writing.

You can also take action if you think your landlord’s pet refusal is unfair. Complaints can be lodged with a new private rented sector ombudsman or taken to court.

Renters’ Rights Act changes later in 2026

Private rented sector ombudsman

Later in 2026, you’ll have free access to a new private rented sector ombudsman. Landlords will be obliged to sign up.

The ombudsman will handle complaints about fees, maintenance, compliance and communication. The aim will be to avoid disputes going to court.

Private rented sector database

A new private rented sector database will launch later this year. Like the ombudsman, landlords will have to sign up.

The database will be free and open for tenants to use. You’ll be able to check who you’re renting from and see documents about property standards.

Renters’ Right Act changes in the future

A new EPC grade

Lower fuel bills and reduced carbon emissions will become a reality for more renters. By 2030, most privately rented homes will need an EPC rating of C or better. Your landlord will be responsible for making eco improvements.

Decent Homes Standard

Every privately rented home will eventually need to meet a new Decent Homes Standard. Landlords will become legally obliged to ensure their properties are safe, secure and hazard free.

Awaab’s Law

Awaab’s Law will empower tenants to challenge dangerous conditions. It will also force landlords to make repairs within a set time period.

Key takeaways

• Most reforms came into effect on 1 May 2026, giving tenants new rights and better protection
• Rent increases are now limited to once a year and rent in advance is capped to 1 months’ rent
• ‘No fault’ evictions are now banned. Instead, landlords must have a valid reason from a Government list to evict a tenant
• Landlords can no longer discriminate against tenants with children and those receiving benefits
• Future reforms include a new landlord database and an ombudsman, so renting becomes a safer and more transparent experience
• If your tenancy started before 1 May 2026, your landlord or letting agent must send you an information sheet by the end of May 2026 to confirm what’s changing with your contract

 

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by Blackstones

Deposit Protection Schemes Explained

Moving into a rented property in the UK? Here’s what tenants need to know about tenancy deposits, your legal rights, and how landlords are required to protect your money through a Government-approved deposit protection scheme.

If you rent your home, your landlord usually has to keep your deposit safe by using one of the government's deposit protection schemes.

Here's everything you need to know about deposits when you rent a home and the protection schemes that keep your money safe.

What is a deposit?

A deposit is typically the equivalent of up to 1 month's rent and has been capped at 5 weeks' rent since 2019.

You give your landlord a deposit to protect them against any breaches of your tenancy agreement. This includes damage to the property, additional cleaning or covering unpaid bills once you've moved out.

While you're in the rental home, the deposit remains your property. And it should always be returned at the end of the tenancy, provided you have stuck to the rental agreement.

It is not law to have an inventory to use a deposit protection scheme, but it is good practice.

An inventory documents the condition of the property and its contents at the start of a tenancy. It's very helpful if there's a dispute at any point.

The inventory should be signed by both landlord and tenant. If you do not use an inventory, take photographs of the property inside and out at the start of a tenancy to keep a record.

You should also check your rental contract for the circumstances in which the landlord can make a claim on your deposit.

How to understand your rental contract

How does a deposit protection scheme work?

In the past, a landlord was able to withhold an entire deposit at the end of a tenancy if they were in dispute with the tenant.

In rare cases, this could lead to unscrupulous landlords taking advantage of honest tenants.

So the government introduced tenancy deposit protection in 2007 in a bid to regulate the system.

As a result, a landlord must protect their tenant’s deposit using an approved deposit protection scheme.This applies to the large majority of private renters.

Historically, this rule applied to tenants on an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) created after 6 April 2007. However, since the Renters' Rights Act in May 2026 abolished ASTs in favour of standard rolling contracts, the deposit protection rules now apply universally to all private periodic assured tenancies.

These conditions do not apply in some cases, such as when a landlord lives in the property with the tenant, or if the tenant lives in student halls of residence. However, it is still regarded good practice to ensure deposits are protected.

What are the 3 deposit protection schemes?

There are 3 government-backed deposit protection schemes operating in England and Wales:

• Deposit Protection Service (DPS)

• MyDeposits

• Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS)

The schemes aim to help safeguard deposits and provide an even and effective means of resolving disputes between the landlord and tenant.

They also hope to promote greater understanding between both parties at the start of a tenancy.

Make sure your landlord is using one of these 3 schemes if you live in England or Wales. If any other scheme is used, then your deposit is not protected by law.

There are separate tenancy deposit protection schemes in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

What types of deposit protection schemes are there?

All 3 of the government-backed tenancy deposit protection schemes offer custodial and insurance-based options.

1. Custodial

The custodial option is where the landlord lodges the deposit with the scheme for the duration of the tenancy.

The money is then released when both the landlord and tenant agree on the total sum to be returned at the end of the tenancy.

The custodial option is free for landlords to use because it is funded by interest made on the deposit.

Landlords based overseas must use the custodial format unless they employ a British-registered letting agent to manage their tenancy.

2. Insurance

The insurance option is where the landlord holds the tenant's deposit throughout the tenancy and pays the scheme a fee to have it protected.

The landlord manages the repayment at the end of the tenancy.

If the landlord does not pay the tenant the amount they are owed, then the scheme will pay the tenant and try to get the money back from the landlord.

What happens at the start of a tenancy?

As a tenant, you might pay a holding deposit before you sign a rental agreement. This reserves the property for you, but landlords are not required to protect it until you become a tenant.

Your holding deposit can be no more than 1 week's rent.

Once you sign a rental agreement, you pay the main deposit, which is usually called either your tenancy or security deposit. This must be protected with a scheme.

The landlord might put your holding deposit towards the tenancy deposit.

Landlords (or their letting agent) must put the deposit in one of the protection schemes within 30 days of receiving it.

The landlord can choose which deposit protection scheme they use and they have to inform you which one it is.

Landlords are still required to use a protection scheme even if your deposit is paid by a third party, such as your parents or guarantor.

Within 30 days of receiving a deposit, landlords must provide you with:

• address of the rented property

• deposit amount paid

• how the deposit is protected

• name and contact details of the deposit protection scheme and its dispute resolution service

• landlord or letting agent’s name and contact details

• name and contact details of any third party that has paid the deposit

• why they would keep some or all of the deposit

• how to apply to get the deposit back

• what to do if a tenant cannot get hold of the landlord at the end of the tenancy

• what to do if there is a dispute over the deposit

If you do not receive this information within 30 days, follow up with your letting agent or landlord.

How long is the deposit protection scheme valid for?

Your deposit is protected for the duration of your tenancy with the same landlord. It will remain protected on a continuous, rolling basis until you eventually move out.

What happens if a landlord is suspected of not using a deposit protection scheme?

If you believe your landlord has not used a deposit protection scheme when they should have done, you can apply to the local county court at any time during the tenancy.

Inform the landlord first to give them the opportunity to protect your deposit with a scheme.

You should get legal advice if you feel you need to apply to court.

The court has the power to order the landlord to repay the deposit to you or put it into a custodial tenancy deposit protection scheme bank account within 14 days.

The court can also order a landlord to repay you up to three times the original deposit as a fine within a fortnight.

What happens at the end of a tenancy?

As a tenant, you should be told how much of your deposit is going to be returned to you within 10 days of the end of the tenancy.

The deposit is normally paid into your bank account.

The government-backed schemes mean that you will get your deposit back based on the following conditions:

• the terms of the tenancy agreement are met

• there is no damage done to the property or contents

• the rent and bills are paid

Solving a dispute

Each deposit protection scheme offers a dispute resolution service, known as Alternative Dispute Resolution.

The service can be used if you and the landlord are in disagreement about how much deposit should be returned at the end of a tenancy. It is a free service and is intended to resolve disagreements without the need to go to court.

There may be a time limit on when a dispute must be registered by. Landlords and tenants are advised to contact the tenancy deposit protection scheme as soon as possible.

Cleaning charges and general wear and tear are among the more common reasons for deposit disputes. The government defines the phrase as "reasonable use of the premises by the tenant and the ordinary operation of natural forces".

It is a legal principle too that you should not bear the full cost of having any part of a property, or any fixture or fitting, put back to the condition it was at the start of the tenancy agreement.

The dispute resolution service differs slightly, depending on which scheme the deposit is held in. However, the overarching principles remain the same.

The service can only be used if both you and your landlord agree to use it and accept the ultimate decision made.

If a dispute arises, you and the landlord are both required to provide evidence to an impartial and qualified adjudicator within the required timescale.

Adjudicators can be individuals hired under contract to the deposit protection scheme or employed directly by the scheme.

Both you and the landlord should try to see the evidence from the independent third party or adjudicator's perspective. How will they view a case?

Types of evidence can include:

• tenancy agreement

• inventory

• photo or video evidence

• invoices, receipts and quotes

• bank statements

• utility bills and council tax

• witness statements

You and the landlord are not required to meet during the process, and the adjudicator will not visit the property in question. The adjudicator will decide the final outcome.

The adjudicator will consider a number of factors, likely to include:

• length of tenancy

• number and age of tenants

• quality and condition of property and/or fixtures and fittings

• wear and tear of property and/or fixtures and fittings or damage

The onus is on the landlord to show that he or she has a justifiable claim to retain all or part of the deposit, as the money remains your property.

If you or the landlord don't agree to use the deposit scheme's dispute resolution service, you may need to escalate the issue. Rather than jumping straight into stressful and expensive court action, you can now take your complaint to the Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman (introduced under the Renters' Rights Act 2026), which is completely free for tenants to use and has the power to compel landlords to resolve financial disputes.

Landlords are responsible for making sure the deposit is kept safe with one of the schemes even if they use a letting agent to look after the deposit, which provides you with peace of mind.

It's worth taking the time to explore the different schemes available and see which is best, considering the property, the rental agreement and the landlord's own situation, to make the right choice.

You can get further help and advice from:

• your local Citizens Advice office

• a solicitor

• Shelter in England or Wales

Key takeaways

• You pay a tenancy deposit to protect the landlord against breaches of your agreement, like damage, additional cleaning or covering unpaid bills
• The landlord must use one of 3 government-backed protection schemes and provide you with the details
• You should be told how much of your deposit is going to be returned to you within 10 days of the end of the tenancy
• If there's a dispute when you move out, you can use a resolution service provided by the deposit protection schemes

 

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by Blackstones

Tenancy Paperwork Explained

Secured Your New Rental Property? Explore Everything You Need to Know About Referencing, Tenancy Agreements, Moving In, Maintenance Reporting, and Moving Out

From references and deposits to inventories and tenancy agreements, renting a property involves a bit of paperwork at the beginning and end of your rental agreement.

And in between all that, there are yours and your landlord's rights and responsibilities to consider.

Here's our guide on how renting a property works and all the paperwork you need to be aware of.

Securing a property to rent

Begin by putting down a holding deposit in order to state your intention to rent the property and have it taken off the market. This is capped at one week’s rent and is refundable after 14 days.

Don't forget to check whether there are any other letting agents marketing the same rental home.

The letting agent or landlord will then begin the administrative process of requesting references from you.

References

Your prospective new landlord will be keen to make sure that you are a suitable tenant and that you have the ability to pay your rent. They may also be interested in whether you have rented a property without any major problems in the past.

The landlord or, if instructed, the letting agent will organise the reference checks and may ask for your permission to conduct the relevant searches.

In the past, they may have asked for an administrative fee from you to conduct these checks but they are no longer allowed to do so.

In fact, all agency fees have now been banned, and under the Renters' Rights Act implemented in May 2026, bidding wars were also outlawed. This means the only upfront cost you should be asked for at this stage is the holding deposit based on the advertised rent.

Some or all of the following documents may be requested by the letting agent or landlord:

• References from previous landlords - you may be asked to give the details of where you have lived within the last three years

• A credit check - this will allow them to see if you have a good history of paying your bills.

• Your bank details, including the bank name, account number and sort code

• Details of your employment, including your employer, job title, payroll number, salary and previous employer

• Proof of your right to rent in the UK (often requiring a digital 'share code' from the Home Office)

Under the Data Protection Act, you can only be asked for information that is required for the tenancy, and it must be stored securely and checked regularly to make sure it is still needed and is accurate.

Landlords are also legally banned from having blanket policies that discriminate against families with children or people on benefits.

In the event that the information highlights any potential of risk to the landlord, you may be asked to provide a guarantor.

A guarantor will be contractually liable, both financially and legally, should you fail to pay the rent during your tenancy or in the event of damage to the property.

The deposit and upfront payments

The final part in securing the property is putting down the deposit, which you will be asked for once you have signed a contract.

This deposit is capped at 5 weeks’ rent, unless your rent is more than £50,000 a year, in which case you may be asked for 6 weeks’ rent.

A landlord is also legally restricted from asking for more than 1 month's rent in advance.

The deposit is a safety net for the landlord to guard against the cost of replacing or repairing property damaged by you.

• Landlords and letting agents in England are required to join one of the Government-backed tenancy deposit protection schemes

• You must be given proof that your deposit has been put into one of these schemes within 30 days of you paying it

• You will get all or part of your deposit back at the end of the tenancy if you have kept the rental property in good condition

• The schemes offer alternative ways of resolving disputes which aim to be faster and cheaper than taking court action

The deposit and upfront payments

The final part in securing the property is putting down the deposit, which you will be asked for once you have signed a contract.

This deposit is capped at 5 weeks’ rent, unless your rent is more than £50,000 a year, in which case you may be asked for 6 weeks’ rent.

A landlord is also legally restricted from asking for more than 1 month's rent in advance.

The deposit is a safety net for the landlord to guard against the cost of replacing or repairing property damaged by you.

• Landlords and letting agents in England are required to join one of the Government-backed tenancy deposit protection schemes

• You must be given proof that your deposit has been put into one of these schemes within 30 days of you paying it

• You will get all or part of your deposit back at the end of the tenancy if you have kept the rental property in good condition

• The schemes offer alternative ways of resolving disputes which aim to be faster and cheaper than taking court action

The inventory

This is one of the most important documents in the renting process and can be key in deciding how much of your deposit is returned at the end of your tenancy.

You should be extremely thorough and give it your full attention, while taking the necessary precautions to protect your interests.

How is the inventory prepared?

The inventory is a simple list detailing every item contained within the property and the condition each listed item is in, as well as the state of the property itself, on the day you move in.

This may be prepared by either the letting agent or the landlord. Either way, you should go round the property with the landlord or agent and agree the state of each item before signing anything.

If necessary, take photographic or video evidence to give you extra protection and avoid any unnecessary disagreement at a later stage.

You will be expected to sign the inventory and initial every page, along with the landlord or letting agent.

When will the inventory be checked again?

It is not uncommon for landlords and letting agents to schedule in regular three-monthly inventory checks at the property in order to assess any damage that may have occurred.

Find out if there are regular checks planned and when they will take place. It is most common, however, for a final inventory check to take place on the day you are scheduled to move out.

Tenancy agreements

The tenancy agreement is a legally-binding contract between you and the landlord.

It specifies certain rights to both you and the landlord, such as your right to live in the home for the agreed term and your landlord's right to receive rent for letting the property.

Significant changes to tenancy agreements came in from 1 May 2026 with the Renters' Rights Act. Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) were abolished and the standard contract is now the Assured Periodic Tenancy.

The most important aspect of this agreement is that there is no fixed end date and no minimum term. The tenancy rolls on a monthly basis. Landlords lost the right to automatically repossess the property at the end of a term without a reason when 'no-fault' Section 21 evictions were banned.

The 2026 laws also made consent for pets a legal right. In practice, this means landlords cannot issue a blanket ban on tenants with pets and cannot unreasonably refuse a written request to keep one, though they can ask you to carry pet insurance.

There are specific requirements linked to the tenancy that include:

• The tenant(s) must be an individual(s) (not a business or entity)

• The property must be the main home of the occupant(s)

• The property must be let as separate accommodation

• The tenant must provide the landlord with 2 months' notice if they want to terminate the agreement at any time

• The landlord must provide a valid legal reason (such as selling the home or moving back in) to terminate the agreement, which typically requires them to give 4 months' notice.

The agreement will most likely contain the following information:

• Your name, your landlord's name and the address of the property which is being let

• The date the rolling tenancy will commence

• The amount of rent payable, how often it should be paid, when it should be paid and when it can be legally increased (which is now limited to once a year via a Section 13 notice)

• What payments are expected, including Council Tax, utilities and service charges

• What services your landlord will provide, such as maintenance of common areas

Tenant and landlord rights and responsibilities

The responsibilities of both parties are likely to be detailed within your tenancy agreement, although some conditions may vary between properties and landlords.

Preparing to move in

When all the paperwork has been completed, it's time to move in. Check out our top tips for making the moving in process as easy as possible.

Moving out

When you're thinking about moving out, it's important to remember you have the right to stay as long as you like.

As tenancies are now all rolling agreements, there is no end date that you need to renew or extend. Providing you adhere to your tenancy agreement, you can simply continue your occupancy. Your landlord cannot ask you to leave simply because a certain amount of time has passed.

Or, you can give 2 months' notice in writing if you decide to move out.

Leaving the property in the right condition

It's worth putting in a bit of work to get the property up to scratch to maximise the chances of getting your full deposit back.

As long as the condition of the property is the same as when you moved in (barring normal wear and tear), you should have no problem. So here's what you should do:

• Give the property a thorough clean, including carpets, windows, walls and furniture

• Clear away any rubbish

• If it's your responsibility, tidy up the garden

• Remove all your personal belongings

• Be satisfied you're leaving the property as you found it

Return all the keys to the landlord

If you decide to move out, it's worth putting in a bit of work to get the property up to scratch to maximise the chances of getting your full deposit back.

As long as the condition of the property is the same as when you moved in (barring normal wear and tear), you should have no problem. So here's what you should do:

• Give the property a thorough clean, including carpets, windows, walls and furniture

• Clear away any rubbish

• If it's your responsibility, tidy up the garden

• Remove all your personal belongings

• Be satisfied you're leaving the property as you found it

• Return all the keys to the landlord

Final inventory check

You'll have the opportunity to run through the inventory checklist on the day of departure.

It's important that this job is done as you leave the property, to avoid you being accountable for any damage that occurs after you've left.

If there is any damage, you should agree with the landlord the cost of repairing or replacing such items.

If an agreement cannot be reached as to the damage of particular items, which items have been damaged, or repair costs, then you should make sure you take photographs.

Get your own repair cost estimates and write to the landlord with your findings and work towards a mutually agreeable solution. If you still cannot reach an agreement, you can refer the dispute to the tenancy deposit protection scheme.

If both you and the landlord are satisfied the property has been left in an acceptable state and you have made your final rental payment, there should be no problem getting your deposit back.

Arranging viewings safely

When arranging viewings, it’s sensible to follow a few safety principles.

It’s always a good idea to take someone with you to a viewing. After all, it’s handy to have a second opinion, right?

Let a friend or relative know where you are, what you’re doing and that you’ll give them a quick call when you’re done. You can use certain apps, such as WhatsApp, to share your location for extra peace of mind.

If you're looking at a room share, ask to meet everyone who lives or will be living at the property. This will help you get to know all of your potential flatmates and gives you a sense of their characters.

Remember if you feel at all uncomfortable, you can leave the viewing at any time. Always trust your instincts – if something doesn’t feel right, it’s time to go.

Key takeaways

• You will now always sign an Assured Periodic Tenancy agreement, meaning your paperwork will reflect a rolling monthly contract with no fixed end date
• Have your bank details, employer references, and digital 'share code' (for Right to Rent checks) ready to go, and remember that agents cannot legally charge you admin fees to process them
• Ensure your tenancy agreement does not ask for more than 1 month's rent in advance or a deposit larger than 5 weeks' rent, as both are now strict legal limits
• Treat this document with extreme care, take supporting photos, and ensure every page is initialled before moving in to protect your deposit when you eventually leave

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by Blackstones