Blog
Expert guides on tenant rights, rent increases, and the Section 13 process in England.
Rent in advance cap from 1 May 2026: what to do if a landlord asks for 6 months upfront
From 1 May 2026 a landlord cannot ask for more than one month's rent in advance on a new tenancy. What the cap covers, what it does not, and what to do if a landlord asks for six months upfront.
Form 4 served 30 April vs Form 4A served 1 May 2026: which regime applies to you (the tenant cliff-edge guide)
The serving date — not the date typed on the form — decides which regime applies to your rent increase notice. Worked examples for the 30 April–1 May 2026 cliff edge, three response templates.
Your first month after 1 May 2026: the post-Renters Rights Act tenant orientation checklist
Everything that changes for England tenants on 1 May 2026 in one walkthrough: AST auto-conversion, the Information Sheet by 31 May, the rent-in-advance cap, the pet right, the new Form 4A regime, and what to do if your landlord serves the wrong document.
Section 8 Ground 1A: re-let monitoring and Rent Repayment Orders for tenants (post-RRA 2026 guide)
Your landlord served Ground 1A, you moved out, and now the property is back on Rightmove. The 12-month re-let restriction, evidence pack, and the RRO claim at the First-tier Tribunal -- a tenant playbook under the Renters Rights Act 2026.
Tribunal hearing day: what tenants should expect, wear and bring (the 2026 playbook)
A calm, procedural walkthrough of a First-tier Tribunal rent hearing in England. What to wear, what to bring, who sits where, how the panel asks questions, and what happens after.
Open market rent at tribunal: the tenant evidence pack guide
Step-by-step guide for tenants assembling a tribunal evidence pack in England: comparables, agent valuations, defects, EPC, and a worked Southwark example.
Section 8 vs Section 21 post-RRA: your tenant defence playbook for 2026
Section 21 is abolished. From 1 May 2026, every eviction in England must use Section 8 with a named legal ground. Here is how to defend each one.
Private Landlord Ombudsman: a tenant's step-by-step complaint walkthrough (2026)
The new Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman is free for tenants and binding on landlords. Here is the complete walkthrough: who qualifies, what to complain about, how to submit, and what you can win.
Landlord harassment after a tenant challenge: your rights post-Renters' Rights Act
Section 21 is abolished from 1 May 2026. Tenants who challenge a Form 4A are now protected from retaliatory eviction in a way they were not before. The post-challenge harassment playbook for England.
Help with Fees for the £47 rent tribunal fee: the tenant eligibility walkthrough
From 1 May 2026 the rent tribunal application fee is £47. Help with Fees can cover it in full for tenants on low incomes. Here is the eligibility walkthrough and EX160 form guide.