The Renters’ Rights Act – What This Means for You at Get Living

The Renters’ Rights Act is a new law that updates how private renting works in England. It strengthens renter protections and introduces clearer rules around tenancies, rent increases and evictions.

Most of the new rules came into force on 1 May 2026 and will apply to existing and new tenancies.

For our existing Get Living residents, you don’t need to do anything as these changes apply automatically by law.

Read the Government’s official information via The Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026. All landlords must issue the information sheet to tenants by 31 May 2026.

No, you do not need to sign a new tenancy agreement. Your tenancy automatically converts to an Assured Periodic Tenancy (APT) under the new legal framework. There’s no paperwork to sign and no action needed from you.

After 1 May 2026, fixed end dates no longer apply. Tenancies continue on a rolling basis, supporting longer‑term living without the need for renewals. Your existing tenancy agreement will automatically convert to the new Assured Periodic Tenancy (APT).

No. From 1 May 2026, tenancies can only be ended for specific legal reasons. Evictions without cause are no longer allowed.

At Get Living, this approach has always been reflected in how we operate. We have never relied on “no-fault” evictions and instead use resident-only break clauses, meaning residents have flexibility and security within their homes. This reflects our long-standing commitment to being a responsible and trustworthy landlord.

Yes, you can leave your tenancy whenever you like by giving at least two months’ written notice at any time, timed around your rent payment date.

Rent can only be reviewed once per year. Any increase must be communicated in advance in writing and reflect local market levels.

Where a rent increase is applied, it will be issued via a Section 13 notice, with at least two months’ notice before the proposed change takes effect.

No, large payments are no longer allowed to pay multiple months of rent in advance.

The only upfront payments will be:

A holding fee:

A holding deposit may will be requested to reserve a property. This will not exceed one week’s rent, and will be taken off your first months rent. All terms and conditions regarding this payment can be found on the Get Living website.

A deposit:

When you rent a home with Get Living, a deposit is required as part of your tenancy agreement. This helps ensure the property and rent are protected throughout your tenancy.

With Get Living, you have a choice for how you pay your deposit, ensuring the best fit for you:

• TDS Deposit –

You can choose to pay a traditional deposit which is equivalent to five weeks rent and is payable before your tenancy starts. Once received, we’ll register the deposit under the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) for safekeeping.

• Reposit –

You can choose a deposit alternative product through our partner Reposit. You can pay a smaller one off, non-refundable fee of 1 week’s rent (split between all residents) to Reposit. Please note, Get Living will receive a commission where Reposit is selected.

For more information, please read our full terms and conditions.

First month’s rent:

During the pre-tenancy period, the period between the tenancy agreement being signed and the tenancy start date, 1 month’s rent will be requested.

No more than this will be requested or accepted in advance of the tenancy start date.

Get Living has always been a pet-friendly landlord that supports responsible pet ownership as part of fostering vibrant, inclusive communities. Pets contribute positively to residents’ wellbeing and social connection, but ownership must be managed responsibly to ensure the safety, wellbeing and respect for all.

Residents should:

• Obtain written consent before bringing a pet into the property.
• Complete and submit the Pet Consent Form for approval before the pet moves in.
• Provide accurate information on pet type, breed, age, welfare, vaccination, microchipping, and any known behavioural issues.
• Provide emergency contact details for a nominated pet carer.
• Comply with the Animal Welfare Act 2006; ensuring pets have adequate food, water, shelter, exercise, and veterinary care.
• Prevent nuisance, damage, or risk to others.
• Ensure pets do not cause noise, nuisance, or distress to neighbours.
• Keep all pets vaccinated, flea- and worm-treated, and (for dogs) microchipped.
• Do not leave pets unattended for long periods (dogs no more than 4 hours).
• Keep dogs on a lead in public and communal areas unless signposted otherwise, such as designated dog parks, where well-behaved dogs may be allowed off the lead. Owners remain responsible for controlling their pets.
• Use all communal and shared areas in accordance with the Amenity Spaces Policy, ensuring pets are kept under control and do not cause disruption, damage, or hygiene issues.
• Visitors are not permitted to bring pets inside the property. When pets are brought to external or shared areas by visitors, residents remain responsible for supervising and controlling their visitors’ pets.
• Prevent fouling inside the property or on balconies; clean up pet waste immediately.
• Refrain from breeding or selling animals from the property.
• Not alter the property (e.g., installing pet flaps) without written permission.
• Inform Get Living immediately of any pet-related damage or infestation.
• Cover any repair or cleaning costs arising from pet damage.
• Ensure their property is cleaned to a professional standard prior to moving out, including removal of pet hair, odours, and other pet-related residue.
• Take out pet and home contents insurance that covers damage or injury caused by their pet.
• Ensure pets are restrained or supervised during property inspections or maintenance visits.
• Submit a new application for any additional pets.
• Understand that Get Living may withdraw consent if any of these conditions are breached.

Get Living will:

• Review and respond to Pet Applications within 28 days and in line with policy and legal standards.
• Conduct inspections as required.
• Enforce compliance and take proportionate action if breaches occur.
• Report any pet-related issues, welfare concerns appropriately.

Yes, you may decorate and wallpaper the inside of your home (with the exception of the ceilings and woodwork) to a good standard and in line with any requirements reasonably requested by Get Living.

Get Living supports residents making their space feel like home so you have the freedom to paint and decorate the walls with shelving or your favourite prints.

If you stay for less than three years, we ask that you put the condition of the home back to how it was when you first moved in.

Please log all repairs and maintenance issues via the Resident App or Resident Portal as soon as the issue is identified. You will then be contacted by a member of our team to discuss next steps.

Further information on repairs is detailed out in your Assured Periodic Tenancy (APT). Alternatively, your Neighbourhood team is on-hand to assist with your enquiries.

Get Living is committed to delivering a professional, transparent and responsive service to all residents and commercial occupiers. We recognise the importance of feedback to maintain high standards of courtesy, efficiency, reliability and property expertise.

We are committed to addressing complaints promptly and fairly and will do our best to achieve the best possible outcomes for our residents. Please read our full complaints’ handling procedure.

Please note, a new private rented sector Ombudsman is expected to launch in late 2026.

Yes, Get Living is ready for the Renters’ Rights Act changes. The Act strengthens protections for renters and promotes greater fairness and transparency across the rental sector, changes we fully support.

At Get Living, caring for and protecting our residents has always been central to how we operate. From the outset, our focus has been on providing long-term, flexible tenancies that offer both stability and choice. We already support this through resident-only break clauses, giving residents greater flexibility while maintaining security.

We also encourage residents to make their homes their own. That’s why we:

• Welcome pets as part of our neighbourhoods, in line with our pet policy
• Allow residents to decorate their homes, helping them feel settled and comfortable
• Invest in community-building through regular events, clubs and activities that help neighbours connect and support long-term living

Our approach is service-led. We meet established repair and maintenance standards, with dedicated on-site and customer service teams in place to respond promptly to repairs, calls and enquiries; always with resident wellbeing and security as a priority.