The Renters’ Rights Act in plain English
1 day ago | 3 comments
Tenants notice in the first couple of months of Renters’ Rights Act?
9:21 AM, 13th May 2026, 2 hours ago
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I have just received an enquiry from a potential tenant who wants to move to one of my properties due to the current landlord moving undesirables next door.
They had a contract allowing one month’s notice. They now apparently have to give two months’ notice. Surely, as they have only just received the RRA information prior to 1st of May, then they should also have the courtesy of a few weeks to assess needs / find somewhere new before their notice contract is changed.
They can’t give two months and going forward, this will affect landlords who, upon finding a tenant, will have to wait two months as many will not be able to give notice prior to securing a new place.
Editor’s Note: Under the Renters’ Rights Act from 1 May 2026, most tenants in England now need to give 2 months’ notice to leave, unless their tenancy agreement specifically allows less or their landlord agrees otherwise. The change applies from the legal start date, not from when a tenant received or read the information, so there is no formal grace period to “assess options” first.
This does mean many tenants may need to secure a new property before serving notice, which could delay move-in timelines for landlords. In urgent cases, the best option is usually to negotiate an early surrender with the current landlord.
The government guidance can be found here.
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What actual problem did the Renters' Rights Act fix?
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 2011 - Articles: 21
10:45 AM, 13th May 2026, About 36 minutes ago
In answer to the question, if the tenancy says they can give one month’s notice, that has not changed. For all new Assured Periodic Tenancies, it is two months to expire at the end of a rental period. So if the rent is payable on the first of the month notice must be given no later than the rent payment date. Let me give an example. Tenancy commences 1st June 2026 and rent is payable on the first of the month. Tenant wants to leave and on July 3rd gives notice. That notice will expire, not on 2nd September but on 30th September.
As landlords will generally not be willing to wait 2 months or in an extreme case 2 months and 30 days tenants may have to pay double rent for an overlap period. Of course what is more likely is that tenants will give notice in advance and if they cannot find a new home will stay put. This will muck around the landlord and any prospective tenant the landlord finds to take over the property.
It will come as no surprise that under the Renters’ Rights Act this appalling behaviour does not invoke a £7000 fine or indeed any sanction. Landlords and prospective tenants who find that they cannot move in when they expected to will just have to suck it up.