Bassetlaw District Council is reminding local tenants and landlords that major changes to renting rules in England will come into effect from 1 May 2026, and is encouraging anyone affected to get up to speed before the deadline.
The council shared guidance from the government's Housing Hub campaign, which sets out what the new rights and responsibilities mean in practice for both sides of the tenancy relationship.
What's changing?
The changes are part of the Renters' Rights Act, which represents the biggest overhaul of private renting law in England in a generation. Key changes include:
- Section 21 'no-fault' evictions are being abolished. Landlords will no longer be able to evict tenants without giving a reason. Possession can only be sought on specific grounds (such as selling the property, moving back in, or rent arrears).
- All tenancies become periodic. Fixed-term tenancies are being scrapped. All private tenancies will roll on a month-to-month basis from day one, giving tenants the freedom to leave with two months' notice without being locked into a long contract.
- Rent increases are limited. Landlords can only increase rent once a year and must give two months' notice. Tenants can challenge excessive increases through the First-tier Tribunal.
- A new Ombudsman for private renters. A mandatory Ombudsman service will handle complaints and disputes between tenants and landlords, giving renters a route to resolution without going to court.
- A national Landlord Register. All private landlords in England will need to register on a new national database, making it easier for tenants and councils to identify who owns and manages rental properties.
- The Decent Homes Standard extends to the private sector. For the first time, privately rented homes will need to meet the same minimum quality standards already applied to social housing.
- Tenants can keep pets. Landlords will no longer be able to issue blanket bans on pets. Tenants can request permission, and landlords can only refuse on reasonable grounds.
What Bassetlaw residents should do now
Whether you are a tenant, a landlord, or a letting agent operating in Worksop, Retford, Tuxford or anywhere else in Bassetlaw, the council's advice is to read the guidance now rather than wait until the changes are already in force.
Two official sources explain everything:
- Housing Hub – housinghub.campaign.gov.uk/renting-is-changing
- GOV.UK – gov.uk/renting-out-a-property
Free advice locally
Bassetlaw residents who need help understanding how the changes affect their specific situation can also contact Citizens Advice Bassetlaw or Bassetlaw District Council's housing team for free, impartial guidance.
If you are a landlord and are unsure about your obligations under the new rules, the council recommends taking professional legal advice or speaking to a landlord association such as the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA).
