The Renters’ Rights Act changed how landlords let out private properties on or from 1 May 2026. The most noticeable changes were that assured shorthold tenancies automatically became assured periodic tenancies. Assured periodic tenancies run on a rolling basis, for example, weekly or monthly. It is no longer possible to have an assured tenancy agreement with an end date. Your landlord cannot ask for, encourage or accept a payment of rent before you have signed the tenancy agreement. When you have signed the tenancy agreement, you can be asked to pay a maximum of 1 month’s rent in advance. A landlord must include a specific price in any written advertisement or offer. Your landlord cannot accept or encourage offers above the advertised rent.