United Kingdom Updates Rental Laws for Digital Nomads and Expats

The United Kingdom is implementing the most significant overhaul of its private rental sector in decades. Starting May 1, 2026, the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 officially abolishes Section 21 no-fault evictions in England. This shift moves all tenancies to a periodic, open-ended model, meaning landlords can no longer end a lease without a specific, court-proven reason.

The new rules also ban rental bidding wars and limit rent increases to once per year. For those living in England, landlords cannot demand more than one month’s rent in advance or discriminate against tenants with children. If a landlord wants to sell the property or move back in, they must provide four months’ notice and can only do so after the tenant has lived there for at least a year.

Who is affected

Expats and long-term digital nomads gain significant security from these changes. You no longer have to worry about sudden, arbitrary evictions at the end of a fixed term. This allows for more stable, long-term stays in English cities without the constant pressure of lease renewals.

Overseas landlords who rent out UK property must also adapt. Managing properties from abroad now requires stricter compliance, as evictions for rent arrears or property sales must go through a court process that can take 12 to 18 months. Short-term holiday lets for tourists remain largely unaffected, provided they do not fall under the assured tenancy classification.

What you need to do

If you are currently renting in England, your existing fixed-term agreement will automatically convert to a periodic tenancy on May 1, 2026. You do not need to sign a new contract, but your landlord must provide a written agreement or a government information sheet outlining your new rights.

For those planning to move, remember that you only need to give two months’ notice to leave a property at any time. If you are a landlord living abroad, it is wise to appoint a UK-based agent to handle the new evidentiary requirements for the court system. Staying informed on these nomad news updates is vital as the government rolls out the Private Rented Sector Database later this year.

Read our full United Kingdom guide for the complete picture.