The Renters' Rights Act 2025: Understanding the Ban on Rental Bidding

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 introduces major changes to the private rented sector in England, including a ban on rental bidding. These rules apply from 1 May 2026.

What Are Rental Bidding Wars?

Rental bidding happens when prospective tenants offer more than the advertised rent to try to secure a property.

Under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, landlords and letting agents must advertise a property at a specific rent and cannot ask for, encourage, or accept an offer above that advertised price.

Why has rental bidding been banned?

The government’s aim is to make renting fairer and more transparent. By stopping landlords and agents from accepting offers above the listed rent, the reforms are designed to give tenants clearer expectations and reduce pressure in competitive markets.

What this means for landlords and letting agents

1. Advertised rents must be accurate

Because landlords and agents cannot accept higher offers, the asking rent needs to reflect the true market position from the outset. Setting the right price will be more important than ever. Official guidance says a specific price must be included when advertising a property.

2. Higher offers cannot be invited or accepted

From 1 May 2026, landlords and agents cannot:

ask for a higher offer than the advertised rent
encourage a tenant to bid above the advertised rent
accept an offer above the advertised rent

3. The change sits alongside other major reforms

The ban on bidding wars comes in alongside other first-phase changes from 1 May 2026, including:

the move to assured periodic tenancies
the end of Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions in the private rented sector
limits on rent increases to once a year
a ban on asking for more than one month’s rent in advance
new rules on discrimination against tenants with children or on benefits

4. Existing tenancy administration also changes

For many existing written assured or assured shorthold tenancies created before 1 May 2026, landlords or their agents must provide the official government Information Sheet by 31 May 2026, or risk a financial penalty.

What this means for tenants

Fairer access to rental properties

Tenants should no longer face pressure to outbid one another above the listed rent. Official tenant guidance says landlords cannot accept or encourage offers above the advertised rent.

More certainty over pricing

Advertised rents should better reflect the amount a tenant is actually expected to pay, making it easier to compare properties and budget realistically. This is reinforced by the requirement to advertise a specific price.

Greater transparency

The ban is part of a wider package aimed at creating a clearer and more predictable private rented sector in England from 1 May 2026.

Final thoughts

The ban on rental bidding marks a significant shift in how rental properties are advertised and agreed in England. For landlords and letting agents, success will depend on setting the right asking rent from the start and ensuring full compliance with the new rules. For tenants, the changes should mean a fairer and more transparent lettings process.

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