Once the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 is implemented, if you are renting privately, but NOT in purpose-built student accommodation your tenancy will stop being an Assured Shorthold Tenancy and you will moved to an Assured Tenancy and will be entitled to make monthly rent payments. Landlords cannot mandate you make larger payments upfront but you can opt to pay more.
I'm already in a contract, what happens to the way I pay rent following the introduction of the Renters' Rights Act 2025?
Before or between 1st and 31st May 2026 your landlord will write to you and let you know:
- the date your contract changes to an assured,
- the monthly amount you will need to pay
- the next payment date
Important: Changes to the way you pay rent may have a delay. Typical reasons will be:
- payments already made before the implementation of the Act. For example you made a quarterly payment in April, monthly payments will begin once a new payment becomes due.
- your landlord has served you with a Section 21 Notice of Possession
I've signed a contract for next academic year and was due to pay quarterly, will I now move on to monthly payments?
Yes, If you have signed a tenancy for next academic year your landlord will write to you and inform you of the changes to how rent will be collected going forward. You can expect confirmation of the monthly amount and the date it will be due.
I've not yet signed a contract for next academic year, will I pay monthly from the beginning?
If you sign a tenancy after the implementation date on 1st May 2026, rents will normally fall due on the 1st day of each month unless another date is specified. Your monthly rent will be your 1st instalment divided by the number of days covered by that instalment x 30.42 (it will be the same amount payable each calendar month, regardless of the number of days in the month)
Will I still have to pay a year’s rent in advance?
From 1st May 2026, landlords can no longer demand more than one month’s rent in advance once a tenancy agreement has been entered into. This stops landlords asking for months of rent up front, and will benefit students without UK-based guarantors in particular. It is important to budget so that you are able to make your money last and pay your rent on time each month.
I would prefer to pay a larger amount upfront inline with how I receive money (e.g. student loan, a stipend payment etc.)
If for your budgeting you would like to pay more rent in advance, you still can! You just need to ask your landlord in writing.
What happens if I live in Purpose Built Student Accommodation (student halls)?
If your student hall is part of the National Code, your provider will be exempt from almost all elements of the new Act and therefore your provider will likely ask you for larger rent payment instalments. Your tenancy agreement will set out the rent payments schedule. You can still request a different schedule but the provider will not have to agree.
What about Rent Increases? How often can my landlord increase my rent?
To increase your rent your landlord will need to serve the correct form called a Section 13 and can only do this once per year. The rent increase should reflect the market rent for that area.
Your landlord will need to give you at least two months' written notice of their intention.
You will be able to object to the rent increase via a tribunal. This would need to be on the basis that you are challenging the increase as being above the market rent of similar properties in your area. You could try negotiating with your landlord first before taking this option.
The tribunal can set a lower rent if they agree the increase is too much. If you challenge the increase, the new rent will not take effect until the Tribunal has made its decision
Got a question not answered here? Please Get In Touch: info@unipol.org.uk