5 things renters need to know before the Renters Rights Act comes into effect on 1 May in England and Wales

Grey shingle clad house with a blue front door and a wild front garden with plants growing up the front of the house.

From 1 May this year, the Renters' Rights Act will come into effect across England and Wales. It’s considered one of the most significant reforms to the private renting sector in England in the past 30 years, so I’ve laid out the most important information tenants need to know before the law comes into effect.

There are around 11 million private renters and 2.3 million landlords in England, according to the government. The new Renters' Rights Act has been introduced to give tenants more rights and improve the system for both owners and renters.