What you need to know

Section 21 ‘No-Fault’ evictions are ending

From 1 May 2026:

• landlords can no longer evict tenants using Section 21
• you cannot be asked to leave without a valid legal reason.
• landlords will only be able to seek possession using strengthened Section 8 grounds, such as: 
  
  • selling the property
  • moving in themselves or a close family member
  • serious rent arrears
  • proven antisocial behaviour

This means greater protection and stability for tenants.

All tenancies become rolling periodic tenancies

All current Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) will automatically convert to Assured Periodic Tenancies (APTs) on 1 May 2026.

This means:

• no more fixed-term contracts
• tenancies run month to month with no end date
• you can leave at any time with 2 months’ notice
• your landlord must follow the correct legal grounds if they want the property back.

Landlords must also provide tenants with written information about the new rules by 31 May 2026.

Fairer rules on rent increases

Under the new law:

• rent can only be increased once every 12 months
• your landlord must use the proper Section 13 process
• you must receive at least 2 months’ notice of any increase
• if you think a rent rise is too high, you can challenge it at a First-tier Tribunal

This ensures rent changes are transparent, predictable, and fair.

No more bidding wars or excessive upfront payments

Landlords and agents are banned from:

• asking for more than one month’s rent in advance
• encouraging bidding wars or asking tenants to offer above the advertised rent

These changes are designed to make renting more affordable and accessible.

New anti discrimination protections

It will be illegal for landlords or agents to refuse tenants because they:

• receive benefits (e.g., Universal Credit)
• have children
• terms like “No DSS,” “No children” or “Professionals only” will be banned.

This means fairer access to private renting for everyone.

Stronger rights to keep a pet

From 1 May 2026, tenants can:

• request permission to keep a pet
• expect the landlord to respond reasonably and within a set timeframe

Landlords cannot unreasonably refuse, though you may be asked to take out pet insurance to cover potential damage.

Better protection through new national schemes

Between 2026–2028, new national systems will be introduced, including:

• a private rented sector database
• A mandatory ombudsman for all landlords

Once in place, tenants will be able to:

• check whether their landlord is registered
• raise complaints with an independent Ombudsman

This will make it easier to resolve issues and hold landlords to account.

Stronger Local Authority enforcement

Councils, including Barnsley Council, will have stronger powers to:

• investigate poor practice
• enforce new rights
• issue higher financial penalties for landlords who break the law

You will have clearer routes to report concerns or unsafe housing.

What can you do to prepare

•    Know your new rights — these changes benefit all private renters
•    Keep written records of communications with your landlord
•    Report problems early (repairs, safety issues, harassment)
•    Ask for support if you are unsure. The council and local advice services are here to help
•    Look out for updates on the national database and Ombudsman

If you're having problems paying your rent

Read our advice if you're having problems paying your rent.

You might qualify for benefits to help you pay your rent. Find out about applying for Housing Benefit.

There's more about managing your money, debt and other finance matters on our money and debt advice page.

Rent repayment orders

Rent repayment orders cover situations where the landlord has failed to obtain a license.

Rent repayment requires repayment of rent or Housing Benefit to either the tenant or the local housing authority.

A tenant can apply for a rent repayment order providing:

• the offence relates to the housing occupied by the tenant at the time
• the application for a rent repayment order is made within 12 months of the date the offence has been committed

A rent repayment can be made by submitting a claim to the First-tier Tribunal which outlines the reasons for your claim.

Find out more about rent repayment orders.

Landlord harassment and threats of illegal eviction

Harassment is anything your landlord does to deliberately disrupt your home life or make you leave your home. Harassment can also be done by someone else, such as a family member or friend of your landlord.

Examples of harassment include:

• cutting off your gas, electricity or water supply
• violence or the threat of violence
• opening your mail or taking things from your home
• harassment because of your gender, race or sexuality
• coming into your home without your permission or without notice, or at unsocial hours

Harassment is a criminal offence and you should report this. If you think you are being harassed, write down what happened and when. You can report this to us by filling in our online form. You can find more details about private renting evictions on GOV.UK.

Harassment can sometimes lead to your landlord making you leave your home illegally. Your landlord should always give you correct notice and follow the legal process to end your tenancy. You can find out more about landlord's making you leave your home illegally. Check on Shelter's illegal eviction website, and about what we can do to deal with rogue landlords.

Dealing with issues

If you want to make a complaint about a landlord or agent, get in touch with them directly first.

If your landlord refuses to do a repair for you, get in touch with us by using our online enquiry form above. If informal action doesn't fix the issue we can escalate the complaint by using enforcement procedures.

If your landlord is bothering you at home or harassing you check the Shelter complaints website for guidance or consider contacting the police.

If you're being threatened with eviction you may also want to have a look at Shelter's eviction advice. They also have advice for people who have complained about the condition of their home and are subsequently being threatened with eviction.

If you live with people who aren't related you might live in a house in multiple occupation. In this case may be able to help with safety and maintenance issues.

Energy efficiency and keeping your home warm

As a tenant you have a right to live in a home that's adequately heated. All rooms (including kitchens and bathrooms) should have fixed heating which are capable of achieving an internal temperature of 18C when it's freezing outside.

Energy performance certificates

An EPC measures the energy efficiency of a property on a scale of A to G and they're valid for 10 years. Since 2007 an EPC has been a legal requirement before a property can be sold, let or constructed. The most efficient homes are in band A, resulting in lower fuel bills. The average EPC rating for properties in Barnsley is D. You can find an EPC by postcode on the government website.

All dwellings in the private rented sector must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 also established a minimum level of energy efficiency for houses in the private rented sector. This is known as MEES (Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard).

Since 1 April 2020, if a property has an EPC rating of F or G it would be unlawful to let them in the private rented sector. Any property that doesn't meet this standard must be brought up to the minimum rating of E. From 2030 this will change to C.

If a property is not improved to a level E, the landlord must apply for an exemption that can last for up to five years. Please note exemptions remain with the landlord and not the property. If your landlord changes during your tenancy and you live in an F or G rated property they will need to apply for a temporary ‘New Landlord' exemption. This will last for six months. You can find search for an exemption on the Government website.

Improving energy efficiency

There are several ways your landlord can improve the energy efficiency of the property. This includes measures such as external or cavity wall insulation, underfloor insulation, loft or room in roof insulation and heat pumps. Depending on your personal circumstances your landlord may be eligible for financial support to help. This money is to make the property more energy efficient and warmer and cheaper for you to run. For further details, please contact our dedicated team.

Damp and condensation

For information about damp and condensation, take a look at our damp and mould webpage.

Electrical safety

Find out more information about electrical safety standards your home needs to meet.

Gas safety

Badly fitted and poorly serviced gas appliances can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions, and carbon monoxide(CO) poisoning. CO is a highly poisonous gas that can kill quickly and without warning, as you cannot see it, taste it or smell it. By taking care of your gas appliances properly you're taking care of your home, your loved ones and even looking out for your local community.

Follow these few simple checks to keep you and others safe:

• Check your Landlord's gas safety record. By law, your landlord must arrange a gas safety check of the appliances and flues. This must happen every year and they must give you a record of the check.
• Look out for any warning signs from your gas appliances. If you've spotted any dark staining, sooty marks around your appliance. Excessive condensation indoors or pilot lights that frequently go out, your appliance may be unsafe. Contact your landlord as a matter of urgency.
• Know the six main symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. This is headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, collapse, and loss of consciousness. From 1 October 2022, all landlords must install carbon monoxide alarms. These should be in any rooms with a fixed combustion appliance such as gas heaters/fires and boilers excluding gas cookers.
• Get your own gas appliances checked annually. Your landlord isn't responsible for gas appliances that you own. You should arrange for these to be safety-checked once a year and serviced regularly by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
• Check the engineer is qualified for the type of gas they're checking. This includes natural gas, domestic boiler. You can find these details on the back of their Gas Safe ID card and the Gas Safe Register website.

For gas safety advice and to find or check an engineer visit the Gas Safe Register website.

Waste and recycling

As a tenant, please make sure:

• your bins are stored either on your property or in a bin store
• your bins are put out for collection at the correct time on collection day, at the front of your property. It should be close to the pavement without obstructing the pavement
• any waste that doesn't fit in your bins is disposed of correctly. It can be done either at a local household waste recycling centre, by using our bulky collection service or by a licensed waste carrier
• your bins aren't contaminated - if they are, they won't be collected. Find out what goes in your bin.

Leaving a property

As a tenant you're in charge of leaving a property secure and free from waste. If you need rubbish removing when leaving you can use our bulky collection service.

More information

• What goes in your bin
• A-Z of waste and recyclable items
• Household waste and your duty of care
• Report a build-up of rubbish at a property
• Fly-tipping

Issues with repairs

If your landlord has refused to carry out a repair, or they take too long to carry out repairs, you can report this to us. We can inspect the property and contact the landlord to talk about the repairs.