Private renters in Hull and across the country are to benefit from enhanced rights, which come into force from 1 May.
The new Renters’ Rights Act aims to give tenants more confidence to challenge poor practice, making renting fairer, safer and more stable.
Changes coming into force apply to most private renters with assured or assured shorthold tenancies.
The 5 key new rights are:
*No more no-fault evictions
*All tenancies become rolling, with no fixed end date
*Fairer rent rules (before or during a tenancy)
*No discrimination, where it will be illegal for landlords or agents, for example, to refuse tenants who have children
*The right to request a pet
The changes also include landlords being limited to requesting a maximum of one month’s rent upfront, whilst they must also stick to no more than the originally advertised rent price, avoiding the possibility of bidding wars.
Hull City Council’s Executive Director of Housing and Communities, Mark Nearney, said: “I am pleased to say, we do have some very professional and responsible private landlords, who play a very important role within our city.
“Notwithstanding this, these new rules give those renting private houses stronger rights, clearer protections and more security in their homes, which should be welcomed, with the new regulations covering the 27,000 privately rented homes in Hull, which make up 27% of the overall housing stock.
“Landlords can no longer now evict tenants without giving a valid legal reason, and they’ll also be limited to only one rent increase per year.
“People who have children or are receiving benefits also now know that they can’t be turned down by landlords or agents for those reasons alone.
“These changes also provide protections for pet owners, where landlords are required to consider the request reasonably, and can only refuse for valid reasons.”
The changes aim to strike a fair balance between renters and landlords, who will still be able to – subject to following the correct procedures – end tenancies for clear reasons, such as selling up, moving in themselves, dealing with rent arrears, or antisocial behaviour.
Further improvements later in 2026 will include the rollout of a new online database of landlords and rental properties in England, allowing tenants to check out if their landlord is properly registered.
Hull City Council staff have joined with colleagues from East Riding of Yorkshire Council to work with landlords and agents on the impact of the Renters’ Rights Act, preparing them for the legislation as it comes in.
Landlords are obliged to update their tenants on the changes and must give them the official Renters’ Rights information by 31 May 2026.
For more information on renters’ rights for tenants in private housing, visit Renters’ Rights for tenants | Hull.