My tenancy rights - Private Renters in Camden
My tenancy rights
Your rights as a private renter from 1 May 2026
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 has significantly strengthened your rights as a private renter. Most of the new rights came into force on 1 May 2026 and apply to all existing and new tenancies from that date.
Security of tenure
- Your landlord cannot evict you without a valid legal reason. Section 21 'no fault' evictions were abolished on 1 May.
- All tenancies are now periodic (rolling). There are no more fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies (AST) — if your current tenancy had a fixed end date, it converted automatically to a periodic tenancy on 1 May.
- You can give 2 months notice to leave in writing at any point during your tenancy (as long as the tenancy ends on a day when the rent is due or the day before).
- If your landlord wants you to leave, they must have a legal reason, known as 'grounds for possession' and give you notice in a particular way using a 'section 8 notice of seeking possession'. How much notice you get depends on the ground the landlord uses. At the end of the notice period the landlord can then apply to court for a possession order.
Written statement of terms
From 1 May 2026, your landlord must provide you with a written statement of the terms of your tenancy before or at the start of your tenancy which must contain certain information detailed in law. This will be either a tenancy agreement or written information about your tenancy.
If you already had a written tenancy agreement before the 1 May, then your landlord must give you a Government information sheet before 31 May 2026. If they fail to do so, Camden Council can impose a financial penalty.
Rent
- Landlords and agents cannot invite or accept offers of rent above the advertised level — 'rental bidding' is banned.
- Any letting must be advertised at a stated rent.
- Landlords and agents cannot ask for, encourage or accept rent before a tenancy agreement has been signed by both parties.
- Landlords and agents cannot ask for more than one month's rent in advance (where rent is paid monthly, 28 days where rent is paid weekly). They can ask for this at any time in the pre-tenancy period (between signing the tenancy agreement and starting the tenancy).
- Your landlord can only increase your rent once a year. They must give you at least two months' written notice using a specific form (form 4A).
- If you think the proposed rent is higher than the open market rent, you can challenge a rent increase by applying to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) before the increase takes effect.
Deposits
Landlords can ask for a holding deposit to reserve a property but this cannot be more than a week's rent. They can also ask for a tenancy deposit before the tenancy agreement is signed. The maximum tenancy deposit the landlord can ask for is 5 weeks’ rent if the rent for the year is less than £50,000. If the rent is over £50,000 the landlord can ask for up to 6 weeks’ rent. This should be protected in an approved tenancy deposit scheme within 14 days of it being paid, and you should be sent details of the scheme used within 28 days.
No discrimination
- A landlord or agent cannot refuse to rent to you because you have children.
- A landlord or agent cannot refuse to rent to you because you receive benefits, such as Universal Credit or Housing Benefit.
Right to keep a pet
You have a new qualified right to request to keep a pet. Your landlord cannot unreasonably refuse. If they do refuse, you can escalate the matter. Your landlord may require you to have pet insurance.
Housing conditions
You have the right to live in a home that is safe and free from serious hazards. Your landlord or agent must maintain the property and deal with any water, gas or electricity supply problems. Any appliances and furniture supplied with the property must also be maintained. Camden Council has a duty to inspect and take enforcement action where serious hazards exist. See our pages on Repairs and Damp and Mould for more information.
Smoke alarms should be fitted on every floor and carbon monoxide alarms in rooms with appliances using solid fuels – such as coal and wood.
Carry out gas and electrical safety checks
A gas safety inspection should be carried out annually and an electrical safety inspection every five years. These certificates should be supplied to the tenant at the start of the tenancy.
Energy Efficiency
The property must have as a minimum an EPC rating Band E. The EPC certificate for the property should be supplied to the tenant at the start of the tenancy and be included in any advert for the property. Landlords in England and Wales will need to ensure their properties meet an EPC C by 1 October 20230 for all tenancies, unless they have an exemption.
Landlord visits – right to advance notice
The landlord or managing agent must give you at least 24 hours’ notice of proposed visits for things like repairs and those visits should take place at reasonable times. The landlord can enter your property without notice if it is an emergency.
Harassment and illegal eviction
You have the right to live peacefully in your home. The Council can help if your landlord threatens you, harasses you or tries to physically remove you from the property without going through a proper eviction process.
Help and advice
If you feel as though your tenant rights are not being met, or would like further advice, information on how to get help can be found here.
If you need further help and support, contact the Private Sector Housing Service. You can go to the Get Help page or call 0207 974 5969.
My Housing Issue Gateway
The Housing Gateway is a signposting tool to guide private renters toward the right dispute resolution mechanism or service; a resource hub providing tailored information about housing rights and options; and a personal diagnostic tool to encourage early resolution of disputes wherever possible. Information and signposting for social renters can also be found through the tool.
You can access the tool here: https://myhousinggateway.org.uk/get-advice/questions
