What changes are happening with the Renters’ Rights Act – and how will they affect me as a Hull City Council tenant?
The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 is introducing major changes to renting across England. While many of the reforms focus on the private rented sector, they are still important for Hull City Council tenants, because they raise standards across all housing and brings private renting more in line with social housing.
From May 2026, changes in the private renting sector will:
- End ‘no fault’ evictions by removing Assured Shorthold Tenancies
- Improve protections around rent increases
- Introduce stronger enforcement against poor quality housing
- Set clearer expectations for safe, decent and well maintained homes
- Require councils to take faster action where landlords break the law
- Require landlords to consider reasonable requests to keep pets.
Later changes will introduce a Decent Homes Standard for private renting, improved rules on damp, mould and hazards via Awaab’s Law, a national landlord register, and a new private sector Ombudsman.
If you are a council tenant, your tenancy rights and security are not changing. You already benefit from:
- Long term, secure tenancies
- Clear rules around rent increases
- Strong protections against eviction
- Good housing quality standards.
The Renters’ Rights Act does not reduce or replace these protections. Instead, the Act ensures that private renters receive similar levels of security and standards, creating a fairer system across the city and helps reduce problems caused by poor quality private housing, unsafe conditions and homelessness.
Why this matters for Hull tenants:
- Fewer people facing sudden eviction in the private sector may reduce pressure on council housing and homelessness services
- Higher standards across all housing improves neighbourhoods and health outcomes
- If your circumstances change in the future — for example, if you need to move, downsize or consider different housing options — private renting will be safer and more secure than before.
We are preparing for these changes by updating systems, training staff and working with landlords and tenant groups. Information and advice will continue to be shared throughout 2026.
If you have concerns about your home or want housing advice, we are always here to help.