What the Renters' Rights Act changed
The short version: from 1 May 2026 a landlord in England cannot ask for more than one month of rent in advance.
- How it worked before
- Someone without UK credit history, or without a UK guarantor, could usually reassure a landlord by paying six or twelve months of rent up front. It was expensive and it tied up savings, but it worked, and it was the standard answer for international students and new arrivals.
- What applies now
- Rent in advance is capped at one month. A landlord may still ask for a deposit within the existing limits, and may still ask for a guarantor. What they can no longer do is accept a large advance instead of one.
- What it means in practice
- The route that used to work for people without UK credit history is closed. Landlords are asking for a guarantor instead, and a guarantor normally has to be a UK homeowner. If you do not know one, a professional guarantor is the remaining option.
Where to check this
This page is a summary, not legal advice. The legislation and the government's guidance are the authority.
Read the guidance on gov.uk