Tenants’ Rights Under New Law

🐶 Right to request a pet

Under the current Renters’ Rights Act implementation guidance for landlords and agents in England, tenants will need to ask in writing if they want to keep a pet. Landlords must consider the request on a case-by-case basis and cannot refuse without a fair reason. The landlord will have 28 days to respond in writing. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

• ✓Requests should be made in writing and should describe the pet the tenant wishes to keep. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
• ✓Landlords cannot refuse without a fair reason and must consider each request individually. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
• !The old 42 day wording is out of date for this page. The implementation guidance now uses 28 days. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}

🛑 Protection against discrimination

Tenant protections here now sit across two layers. First, wider discrimination protections continue under the Equality Act 2010. Second, the Renters’ Rights Act introduces new specific rental discrimination rules in England for households with children or people receiving benefits, applying on and from 1 May 2026. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}

• ✓It will be unlawful to make someone less likely to rent because they have children or receive benefits. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
• ✓This includes withholding information, blocking viewings, or refusing to grant a tenancy on that basis. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
• ✓The guidance also says these rules apply to people acting on a landlord’s behalf, such as letting agents or referencing services. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}

🔐 Greater security of tenure

The implementation roadmap confirms that the first major phase of the Renters’ Rights Act starts on 1 May 2026. From that phase, Section 21 abolition and the move to assured periodic tenancies are part of the new system for the private rented sector in England. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}

• ✓Section 21 “no fault” evictions are being removed in the first implementation phase. :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}
• ✓The roadmap says the vast majority of both new and existing private tenancies become assured periodic tenancies. :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}
• ✓Tenants will be able to end a tenancy by giving two months’ notice under the new structure. :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}

🏠 Property conditions & fitness standards

The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 gives tenants in England a route to act where rented homes are not fit for human habitation. The official tenant guidance says rented homes must be safe, healthy and free from things that could cause serious harm, and that tenants may seek a court order requiring works and/or compensation. :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}

• ✓The Act covers private rented homes in England and applies according to tenancy type and start date rules set out in the guidance. :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}
• ✓Examples in the official guidance include serious damp, mould, excessive cold and other hazards that make the home unfit. :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}
• !The old page should not suggest tenants can simply withhold rent as a straightforward general remedy. The official Homes Act guidance focuses on court action, orders for works, damages and council involvement, not a blanket self-help rent withholding right. :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}

📂 TLA resources for tenants

These are the strongest signposting routes for tenants using this page.

📞 Need legal support?

If you believe your rights are being breached, your tenancy is at risk, or you need help with repairs, discrimination, eviction or complaint escalation, use TLA’s legal support routes below.