1 June 2026 · 5 min read
What to do if your landlord breaks the new rules in England
Written by the RentingRights team, based on official GOV.UK guidance. Last reviewed: 1 June 2026.
The Renters Rights Act 2025 gives tenants in England stronger protections than ever before. If your landlord breaks one of these new rules, you do not have to put up with it. This is a step by step guide to what you can do, based on official GOV.UK guidance.
Step 1: Document everything in writing
Start by creating a clear record of what has happened. Save every email, text message, and letter. Make notes of any verbal conversations, including dates, times, and what was said. Take photographs if the issue involves disrepair, damp, mould, or damage to your home. Good records are the foundation of any successful complaint or legal action. They show exactly what occurred and when, and they make it much harder for a landlord to deny the facts later.
Step 2: Send a formal letter to your landlord
Before you escalate, try to resolve the issue directly. Write a formal letter or email to your landlord that sets out what rule they have broken, when it happened, and what you want them to do to put it right. Be polite but firm, and give them a reasonable deadline to respond or act. Keep a copy of everything you send. In many cases, a clear written complaint is enough to make a landlord realise you know your rights and will take further steps if needed.
Step 3: Escalate to the local council
If your landlord does not respond or refuses to comply, contact your local council. Councils have teams that deal with housing standards, illegal eviction, and tenancy relations. They can inspect your home, issue enforcement notices, and in serious cases prosecute landlords who break the law. This is especially important if the issue involves disrepair, harassment, or an unlawful attempt to evict you.
Step 4: Use the deposit scheme dispute resolution
If the dispute is about your tenancy deposit, and your landlord has not protected it correctly or is withholding it unfairly, you can use the free dispute resolution service offered by the government approved deposit protection scheme that holds your deposit. Each scheme has an independent adjudicator who will look at the evidence and decide what should happen. You do not need a solicitor to use this service. For more detail, see our guide on what to do when your deposit is not returned.
Step 5: Contact the Private Rented Sector Ombudsman
The new Private Rented Sector Ombudsman provides free, binding dispute resolution for complaints about landlords. If your landlord is registered on the national database, you can raise a complaint with the ombudsman. They can investigate, make decisions, and order the landlord to take action or pay compensation. This is a powerful and relatively straightforward way to hold your landlord to account without going to court.
Step 6: When to contact Shelter or a solicitor
If you are facing eviction, feel unsafe, or the situation is complex, get professional help immediately. Shelter offers free housing advice on 0808 800 4444 and can guide you through your options. For serious legal disputes, a qualified housing solicitor can advise you on court action, injunctions, and compensation. Some solicitors offer free initial advice or work on legal aid if you qualify. If the problem is an eviction notice or a rent rise, you can also check whether your Section 21 notice is still valid or whether your landlord raised the rent without Form 4A.
You have real protections now, and landlords who break the rules can face serious consequences. The key is to act promptly, keep records, and use the right channel for your situation. You can also read the official GOV.UK guidance on the Renters Rights Act.
If your landlord has broken the new rules and you want to know your next step, get a free answer at rentingrights.co.uk, no account needed.
Disclaimer: RentingRights provides legal information only, not legal advice. This information reflects the law in England as of May 2026 and is sourced from GOV.UK under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Laws and guidance change, so always verify against current GOV.UK guidance before taking action. We are an independent service operated by Olivian Group Ltd and are not affiliated with or endorsed by the government. For advice on your specific situation, consult a qualified housing solicitor or contact Shelter on 0808 800 4444.