What is the Renters' Rights Act 2025?

The Renters' Rights Act 2025 became law in England on 1 May 2026, ending Section 21 'no-fault' evictions and replacing fixed-term tenancies with rolling periodic agreements. It is the biggest shake-up of private renting in many years and affects the 11 million renters in the private rented sector.

What has changed since the Renters' Rights Act came into force?

Major changes include: no-fault evictions are now illegal and landlords must give a specific, legally valid reason to end a tenancy; fixed-term contracts have been replaced with periodic tenancies with no fixed end date; rent increases are capped to once per year with at least two months' written notice; pet requests can no longer be refused outright (landlords have 28 days to respond and must have a genuine reason for refusal); and bidding wars and large upfront payments are restricted.

Do the Renters' Rights Act changes apply to existing tenancies?

Yes, most existing assured shorthold tenancies automatically converted to assured periodic tenancies on 1 May 2026. However, some exceptions apply, including resident-landlord arrangements, purpose-built student accommodation, tenancies over 21 years, rents over £100,000 per year, very low rents (under £250 per year or £1,000 per year in London), business tenancies, holiday lets, and licensed premises.

Have deposit and dispute rules changed under the new Act?

No, the deposit rules themselves haven't changed. Deposits still need to be protected in a government-approved scheme with prescribed information given to tenants within 30 days. However, landlords cannot recover the same loss twice—they cannot claim against both the deposit and insurance for identical damage caused by pets.

How does the Renters' Rights Act affect contents insurance?

Contents insurance isn't directly impacted by the Act, but the Act makes it easier for renters to move with periodic tenancies and two months' notice required to end a tenancy. Many renters may want to consider monthly rolling plans with no fees to cancel or make changes. Urban Jungle offers Contents Insurance with optional add-on for Domestic Pet Owner Cover, which covers accidental damage to contents and landlord property caused by pets.

Awaab's Law was introduced in October 2025 and forces landlords to adhere to hard deadlines when problems like damp are reported. In 2026, the rules extend to hazards including excess cold, excess heat, falls, structural collapse, explosions, fire, and electrical hazards. In 2027, they extend further to all remaining hazards under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, except overcrowding.

Do I need to do anything to benefit from the Renters' Rights Act protections?

No, renters do not need to do anything to benefit from the new protections—they apply automatically. Landlords were required to confirm the changes in writing by 31 May 2026.

What is coming next for renters' rights in 2026?

A national database for landlords and an independent Ombudsman service are both expected later in 2026, giving tenants more visibility over who they're renting from and an easier route to resolving disputes without going to court.

The Ultimate University Move-In and Move-Out Student Checklist

Urban Jungle

Jul 20, 2026

Renters

Moving into university accommodation is a true rite of passage. Whether you’re a fresher stepping into uni halls for the first time or a second-year leveling up to a shared house (HMO) with your mates, it’s a chaotic mix of freedom and sudden adult responsibilities.

The secret to surviving student housing without losing your mind (or your cash) is nailing the bookends of the year: the Move-In and the Move-Out.

To help make sure you start the term stress-free and end it with your full deposit back in your bank account, we’ve put together the ultimate dual checklist for UK students.

Part 1: The Fresh Start: Your Move-In Checklist (September/October)

The day has arrived. Your car is packed to the roof, and you’re ready to set off. Before you start unpacking your posters and fairy lights, you need to lay the groundwork.

Before You Turn Up

Pack a 'Day One' box: Put this box in the car last so it comes out first - pack all your immediate essentials here! This can include stuff like quick snacks, toilet roll, a charging cable, or even some basic cleaning wipes and products (because student rooms aren't always as clean as they should be on arrival).
Coordinate the big items: If you’re moving into a shared house, message your housemates beforehand. You don’t need four kettles, three microwaves, and zero frying pans. Divide and conquer!
Submit your Council Tax exemption: Full-time UK students don't have to pay Council Tax. However, to make sure your local council knows this, you need to get a student status certificate from your uni portal and submit it to the local council website - once accepted you can enjoy a year of zero council tax!
- Living with somebody who’s not a student? If you live with someone who’s not a full time student, you can still submit this evidence, as they can get a 25% council tax discount if they live with just full time students.
Check out Student Contents Insurance cover: Student Contents Insurance is for tenants living in private rentals, student accommodation, or house shares, looking to cover their personal possessions. Your landlord’s insurance typically only covers the physical building and their fixtures. If there’s a leak, a fire, or a break-in, your clothes, laptop, phone, bike, and furniture are usually not covered unless you have your own contents insurance.

On Arrival (Do This BEFORE Unpacking)

The 'Evidence' Photos: Before diving head first into the unpacking frenzy, walk through the room/house and take clear, timestamped photos of everything. Look for existing carpet stains, scuffed walls, broken window latches, or mold. If it’s there when you arrive, having photographic proof can help make sure you aren’t blamed for it next summer!
Vetting the Inventory: Your landlord or uni accommodation team should give you an inventory form. This allows you to check every item on that list and things you disagree with by writing it on the form and taking a photograph.
Locate the essentials: If you are moving into a houseshare, find out where the fuse box is and where the water stopcock is. If a pipe bursts at 3 am because of a winter freeze, you’ll thank your past self for knowing how to turn the water off.

Settling In

Register with a local GP: Trust us on this one - "Freshers' Flu" is terrifyingly real. Don’t wait until you are down with a fever to realize you are still registered to a doctor 100 miles away at your parents' house.
Sort the Wi-Fi and bills: If your house share doesn't include utilities, get your housemates together on day one to set up a joint energy account or use a student-specific bill-splitting app. Setting up Wi-Fi can take a couple of weeks, so it can be good to get that sorted asap.

Part 2: The Final Countdown: Your Move-Out Checklist (June/July)

Fast forward nine months. Exams are done, the academic year is over, and it's time to head home or move to a new flat. Here is how to wrap things up neatly and secure your deposit.

A Month Before the Move

The Housemate Chores Summit: Don’t let the last person left in the house get stuck cleaning everyone else's mess. Sit down together and allocate jobs. Who is cleaning the oven? Who is tackling the bathroom? Agree on a standard so everyone pulls their weight before they jet off.
The Great Uni Purge: You do not need to haul a year’s worth of accumulated clutter back home. Sell old textbooks on eBay, list clothes you didn’t wear on Vinted, and take everything else to a local charity shop.
Book transport early: Thousands of students move out on the exact same weekend. If you need a hire van, a storage unit, or a student shipping service, book it weeks in advance before prices skyrocket and slots vanish.

One Week Before Moving Out

Hunt for free boxes: Don’t waste your money buying cardboard boxes. Hit up your local supermarkets, corner shops, or the Students' Union and ask for their spare delivery boxes.
Defrost and devour: It’s time for some truly unhinged meal combinations. Eat your way through the freezer and back of the cupboards to save you from throwing food away or trying to transport melting bags of frozen peas.
Cancel/Switch your utilities: Contact your Wi-Fi and energy providers to let them know the exact date your tenancy ends.
Top Tip: If you bought a TV Licence for your student house, you can often claim a refund for the three summer months if you’re moving back to a parent's house where you're already covered!

On Moving Day

The Deep Clean: Landlords love to dock deposits for cleaning. Scrub the oven, wipe down the inside of the fridge, vacuum under the bed, and remove any blue-tack marks from the walls.
Take Final Meter Readings: If you handle your own utilities, snap a clear photo of the gas and electricity meters on your way out so you aren't billed for energy used after you leave.
The 'After' Photos: Just like day one, take a complete walkthrough video and photos of every room once they are completely empty. If the landlord claims the kitchen was left filthy, your timestamped photo of a gleaming kitchen is your shield.
Lock up and hand over: Ensure all windows are shut, appliances are unplugged, and doors are locked. Return the keys exactly as requested by your accommodation team or letting agent.

Post-Move: Getting Your Cash Back

Request your deposit: By law, your landlord must protect your deposit in a government-backed scheme (like DPS or TDS). Send a formal written request for your money back. Landlords cannot charge you for "fair wear and tear", like slightly worn carpets or minor wall scuffs from everyday living and you can always dispute it through the protection scheme's free dispute resolution service.