Written by Allan Mcleod. Allan is the the Head of Civic and Inclusivity, leading the University’s partnership work with communities, public sector organisations, and local and regional government, as well as the VCSE sector. Allan has prior experience leading on partnership work at Bristol City Council in the City Office and holds strong links across Bristol and the West of England, particularly within the VCSE and sustainability sectors.
The Renters’ Rights Act comes into force beginning May 2026. Reshaping the private rented sector in England, and marking the most significant change to renting in a generation. For a city like Bristol, where housing affordability is amongst the worst in the country and private renting is a central part of the housing system this moment really matters.
At UWE Bristol, beyond our students housing alone, our research, civic engagement and external partnerships show us first hand how housing stability impacts people and business.
So, what is the Renters’ Rights Act and why does it matter?
The Renters’ Rights Act new national government legislation designed to strengthen protections for people renting privately and to rebalance relationships between renters and landlords. The Act abolishes Section 21 “no‑fault” evictions, so tenants are no longer required to leave their homes without a specific, lawful reason. It also rolls out open‑ended tenancies, limits rent increases to once per year at market rate, and includes stronger protections against discrimination, including for families and people in receipt of benefits. The Act also provides tenants with clearer rights to request pets and increases accountability through improved enforcement mechanisms.
For those wanting to understand the detail of the legislation, the government has published an official Renters’ Rights Act information sheet explaining the changes in plain language. UWE has been working with a local organisation Housing Matters who have also set up a user friendly campaign called We Rent that offers advice for renters and landlords navigating the new system.
Community and economic impact
Housing is a foundational need and a lack of housing security can have huge knock on consequences around mental health, family stability, children’s education and people’s ability to participate fully in their communities. In Bristol, where demand far outstrips supply and rents continue to rise, even small changes in tenancy conditions can have major consequences for people’s lives.
As mentioned above, UWE Bristol has partnered with Housing Matters, a Bristol‑based charity supporting people facing housing insecurity. We have seen how confusion around housing rights can exacerbate vulnerability and how many renters leave homes earlier than they legally need to and accepting unlawful rent increases, or not challenging unsafe conditions because they are unsure where to turn and are scared of negative consequences of doing so.
While the Renters’ Rights Act has the potential to reduce these pressures, lasting change will depend on strong local understanding and collaboration. Understanding this need, UWE Bristol is actively supporting this work creating partnerships, aligned research and community engagement, to help translate this national bill into practical benefit across our region.
The Renters’ Rights Act also carries important implications for business. Employers across the West of England increasingly recognise that housing insecurity affects their workforce. Employees who rent are facing frequent moves, sudden eviction notices or escalating rents are more likely to experience external stressors that lead to disruption to work, those who are landlords need to understand their rights and requirements too. The WE Rent campaign is helping to support both renters and landlords in providing this information.
Greater stability in the private rented sector ensures a more resilient workforce, enabling business to find, and keep the right talent.
Opportunities for collaboration and research
As the Renters’ Rights Act beds in, there is a strong need to evidence its impact. How renters and landlords experience the new system as well as the effect local housing markets respond will all vary by region.
Universities can support this work by developing strong, trusted partnerships with organisations on the ground. At UWE Bristol, we have been building relationships with local housing charities such as Housing Matters, demonstrating the importance of working alongside practitioners to understand emerging challenges and contribute constructively to local responses. Our Centre for Sustainable Planning and Environments (SPE) undertake research that contributes to planning theory, policy and practice and has expertise in planning, housing and homelessness.
Looking ahead, there are opportunities for further collaboration around data analysis, service design, training, public engagement and policy learning. The Renters’ Rights Act creates new space for doing things differently, and universities can help ensure those changes are informed by evidence rather than assumption.
For UWE Bristol, this moment reinforces the importance of our civic role. By working alongside partners to understand change as it unfolds, and by using our resources in service of the region, we can help ensure reforms translate into meaningful improvements in people’s lives.
We’re always interested in building new partnerships with charities and social enterprises working at the heart of our communities. If you’re interested in working with UWE Bristol to make an impact, find out more about the Civic and Inclusivity team.