1. Review and Understand Your Tenancy Agreement
What to do
- Ask for a copy of your current lease or tenancy agreement, including any addendums.
- Check whether the tenancy is a fixed-term (e.g., 6 or 12 months) or a periodic (rolling) tenancy. Under many reforms, fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies will be replaced by rolling ones. (jonesandquinn.com)
- Look for any clauses about: rent increase timing/frequency; eviction without fault (“no-fault” eviction clauses); pets; tenant fees; conditions on landlord’s access or termination.
- Compare those clauses with the new rights the law grants (e.g., how often rent can increase, notice periods, ability to keep a pet, etc.).
Why it matters
With the law changing, your existing agreement may contain terms that become obsolete or unenforceable. If you know what you agreed to, you’ll be in a stronger position if you need to exercise your rights or challenge the landlord.
How to do it
- Ask your landlord or letting agent for the full wording of the agreement.
- If you don’t have a physical copy, request one in writing (email) so you have documentation.
- Highlight and annotate the clauses that may intersect with the new rights (e.g., “rent increase clause”, “termination without reason”).
- Keep a digital and physical copy for your records.
2. Know Your Rights Under the New Law
What to do
- Identify the key protections the new law introduces — for example:
- Abolition of “no-fault” evictions (e.g., landlords cannot simply give notice without a reason). (Allen Goldstein)
- Conversion of fixed-term tenancies into periodic tenancies in many cases. (jonesandquinn.com)
- Limits on how often rent can be increased and notice period required. (Savills)
- Right for tenants to request pets; prohibition on discrimination against tenants receiving benefits or having children. (Gowling WLG)
- Creation of landlord/letting-agent registration, an ombudsman, or database for enforcement. (teacherstern.com)
- Make a list of what’s new for you.
- Check any guidance from your jurisdiction about how the law will be phased in (some provisions come into force earlier than others). (Landlord Studio)
Why it matters
Understanding your rights empowers you — if your landlord behaves contrary to the new rules, you’ll know you have legal grounds to challenge. Without that knowledge, you may be vulnerable.
How to do it
- Visit your local housing authority or tenant-rights organisation website for plain-language summaries.
- Download any official guides or toolkits (for example, the NYC Tenant Bill of Rights toolkit is a good model).
- Write down any parts of the new law that apply directly to your situation (e.g., you have a pet or expect one, you receive benefits, your landlord said they may use a “no-fault” eviction).
- Keep dates in mind: when does the new law come into effect? Are you already under a fixed-term tenancy? These timing issues matter.
3. Document the Condition of the Property & Maintain Evidence
What to do
- Take detailed photographs or videos of your rental unit as it stands now (walls, floors, fixtures, appliances, any damage or wear).
- Keep copies of repair requests you’ve made and responses from your landlord.
- Maintain records of rent payments, correspondence (emails/texts) with your landlord or agent, and any notices you receive.
- Note if there are ongoing issues (mould, damp, unsafe wiring, broken appliances) that might become enforceable under the new law’s standards (e.g., “Decent Homes Standard” or equivalent). (Wikipedia)
Why it matters
When the law strengthens standards for rental homes and protections against eviction or unfair termination, having your own documented evidence gives you a practical basis to assert your rights. If you need to dispute a rent increase, eviction, or property condition, evidence is crucial.
How to do it
- Use a smartphone or camera to document the entire property – date-stamped where possible.
- Log each maintenance request in a spreadsheet or folder: date, what you asked for, landlord response, what happened.
- Preserve original texts/emails; avoid deleting communication until after you’re certain the issue is resolved and your tenancy secure.
- If there are common-area issues (stairs, shared hallways, external walls) document those too.
4. Plan for Rent Increases & Security of Tenure
What to do
- Check the clause in your tenancy about rent increase frequency and what notice is required.
- Under the new law many landlords may only increase rent once per year and must follow proper notice and market-rate justification. (Savills)
- Consider what you will do if your landlord proposes a rent increase you believe is unfair (learn the procedure for challenging it).
- Be aware of eviction protections: since “no-fault” evictions are being abolished under the reform, the landlord must use defined grounds to regain possession. (Fletcher Properties)
- If your fixed‐term lease is expiring, think about whether you want to negotiate a renewal or move, given the changes to tenancy type.
Why it matters
Changes in regulation around rent increases and eviction protect you from sudden rent hikes or abrupt termination. If you understand how the rules change, you can anticipate and respond rather than being surprised.
How to do it
- Mark your calendar: note when your rent was last increased and when you are subject to the next possible increase.
- If your landlord gives a notice for a rent increase, check that it meets the legal requirements (e.g., proper notice, justification, reasonableness).
- If you believe the increase is excessive, research how to challenge it under your jurisdiction’s mechanism (e.g., tribunal or appeal).
- When your lease period ends or conversion to periodic tenancy occurs, consider discussing with your landlord your preference (renew fixed-term? periodic?).
- Understand the notice you must give if you choose to leave (often two months under the new law) and that the landlord must give proper notice in regulated termination scenarios.
5. Assert Your Rights for Pets, Discrimination & Fair Treatment
What to do
- If you have or want a pet, check how your lease addresses it; under the reforms you will have the right to request a pet, and the landlord cannot unreasonably refuse. (Gowling WLG)
- If you receive housing benefits or are part of a family with children, know that the new law may make it unlawful for the landlord to automatically refuse you on those grounds. (Allen Goldstein)
- Ensure that your tenancy is not subject to unfair fees or bidding practices (if the law bans “bidding wars” or excessive extra charges). (The Independent)
Why it matters
These protections help ensure you’re treated fairly in the renting process and during your tenancy. If you are excluded because of pets or benefits, the new law gives you stronger basis to challenge that treatment.
How to do it
- If you intend to keep a pet, submit a written request to your landlord (email is best) and ask for a written response. If you don’t get one within a reasonable timeframe, you may be deemed to have consent under some regimes. (Allen Goldstein)
- If you are refused on grounds of benefits/children, keep evidence (ads, correspondence) and seek advice from tenant advocacy networks.
- If you notice the landlord is advertising rent invites above list price or adding surprise fees, flag that in writing and ask for explanation.
- Keep a record of all interactions, and ask for a plain-language explanation of any fees or refusals.
6. Stay Informed & Engage Early (Don’t Wait Until a Problem)
What to do
- Monitor when the law comes into effect and whether it applies to existing tenancies as well as new ones (many reforms apply to both). (Landlord Studio)
- Subscribe to updates from your local housing authority or tenant rights organisation.
- Attend or look out for workshops or toolkits produced for tenants (for example, local councils may produce “Tenant Bill of Rights” materials).
- If you have questions or concerns, reach out for legal/tenant-advice early (before issues escalate).
- Keep your documentation and communications organised, as when changes happen enforcement cases will require you to show your records.
Why it matters
Legal reforms often come with transitional periods, exemptions, or phased implementation. Being ahead of the curve ensures you don’t miss out on new protections and can adjust proactively.
How to do it
- Set reminders for key dates: when the law becomes active, when your fixed-term ends, when your rent anniversary occurs.
- Create a folder (digital or physical) titled “Tenancy – New Law” and store your lease, correspondence, photographs, evidence.
- If your landlord or letting agent introduces new terms or requests changes (for example, new pet clause), ask: “Does this reflect the new law or is it pre-law?”
- If you face any dispute (rent increase, disagreement over pet, eviction notice), contact a tenant rights group and ask for guidance while the law is still fresh.
Here are 6 essential steps every tenant should take under the forthcoming Renters’ Rights Bill, complemented with case studies and expert commentary to illustrate how they play out in real life.
1. Review and Understand Your Tenancy Agreement
Case study: In England, a long-term tenant, Nicola (62), was served a “no-fault” eviction after 11 years of occupancy. She described feeling “worthless” with the decision-making entirely out of her hands. (The Guardian)
Commentary:
“Understanding your tenancy agreement is your first line of defense. The new rights don’t magically apply unless you know what you’re working from.”
What to do:
- Obtain a copy of your lease or tenancy agreement.
- Highlight clauses on eviction, rent increase, pet policy, tenant fees.
- Compare these clauses against protections introduced in the Bill (e.g., eviction only for specified grounds, restricted rent rises).
- Keep your copy safe and dated.
2. Know Your Rights Under the New Law
Case study: The discussion around the Bill for England included tenants like Simon (31) who faced steep rent increases right before being asked to leave: landlords were quoted a £165 / mo increase and the tenant feared homelessness. (The Guardian)
Commentary:
“Real power comes with knowledge. If you know when a rent rise is illegal, or when an eviction is invalid, you gain leverage.”
What to do:
- Learn the key protections: e.g., ban on “no-fault” evictions, limits on rent increases, right to request a pet, anti-discrimination measures. (henley-charles)
- Make a list of what is new for you (since under previous law you may not have had these protections).
- Note when the Bill comes into force and whether it applies to existing tenancies.
- Bookmark or download official guidance from your local housing authority.
3. Document the Condition of the Property & Maintain Evidence
Case study: The Bill expands the “Decent Homes Standard” and embeds serious hazard rules (e.g., damp and mould under “Awaab’s Law”). (probono.bppuniversity.ac.uk)
Commentary:
“Tenants armed with dated photos and correspondence are in a far stronger position when repairs, safety or eviction become issues.”
What to do:
- Photograph/video every room, wall, floor, appliance at move-in and when you notice issues.
- Keep all repair requests and responses from the landlord or agent.
- Keep records of rent payments, communications (email/text), notices.
- If you raise a health or safety concern (e.g., damp, hazardous wiring), record date/time and follow up in writing.
4. Plan for Rent Increases & Security of Tenure
Case study: In the UK, more than 30,000 tenants have received “no-fault” eviction notices since July 2024 despite promises to abolish them. (The Guardian)
Commentary:
“One of the biggest changes will be the shift from arbitrary termination and unchecked rent hikes to regulated increases and required cause for eviction.”
What to do:
- Check when your rent was last raised, how much notice your landlord provided, and under what clause.
- Note the new rules under the Bill: for instance, rent rises may only be once a year and must follow prescribed notice procedures. (probono.bppuniversity.ac.uk)
- If you receive a proposed rent increase, compare it to “market rate” and the required notice.
- Review your eviction clause: going forward, termination must be under specific grounds rather than “just because.”
- If your fixed term is ending, consider your options now (renew, convert to periodic tenancy, or move).
5. Assert Your Rights for Pets, Discrimination & Fair Treatment
Case study: The Bill addresses discrimination problems, such as adverts excluding children or tenants on benefits (“No DSS”). For example, tenant Lexi Levens (and her children) faced eviction on Christmas Eve when a landlord used a no-fault notice. (Husmus blog)
Commentary:
“Many protections under the new law are about making sure you’re treated fairly — not excluded because of kids, benefits, or pets.”
What to do:
- If you want a pet, submit a written request to your landlord referencing the upcoming right to request pets under the Bill. (peaksons.co.uk)
- If you’re refused because you have children or receive benefits, keep records of adverts or communications. The Bill explicitly prohibits blanket bans on those grounds. (ashfords.co.uk)
- If you encounter extra “admin fees” or unfair clauses (e.g., huge advance rent), check if they are permissible under the Bill’s reforms (for example, cap on rent in advance). (Husmus blog)
- Keep a note of all refusals, requests, and responses.
6. Stay Informed & Engage Early (Don’t Wait Until a Problem)
Case study: Commentary around the Bill warns that many tenants are unaware and landlords may attempt workarounds (e.g., price hikes instead of evictions). (Mirage News)
Commentary:
“When the law changes, the first movers win — whether you’re asserting your rights or benchmarking what behaviour is reasonable.”
What to do:
- Mark key dates: when does the Bill become law in your region, and when do various provisions apply.
- Subscribe to updates from your local tenant rights organisation or housing authority.
- Attend workshops or webinars if offered (e.g., seminars for landlords/agents about the Bill indicate points of pressure). (Willans)
- Prepare your “tenancy folder” now: lease copy, documentation, photos, correspondence.
- If you receive new terms or changes from your landlord (e.g., new pet clause, rent clause amendments), ask how these reflect the Bill and document the interaction.
Final Thoughts
These six steps—reviewing your tenancy, knowing your rights, documenting condition, planning for rent/tenure changes, asserting rights for pets/discrimination, and staying informed early—will help you proactively benefit from the Renters’ Rights Bill instead of being caught off guard.