United Kingdom · property

Can My Landlord Force Me to Sign a New Tenancy Agreement in England Under the Renters' Rights Act?

Under the Renters’ Rights Act, all private assured shorthold tenancies in England automatically converted into rolling periodic tenancies. Your landlord cannot force you to sign a new agreement, especially one containing a fixed term. Doing so is a direct breach of the law, and you have every right to refuse.

What the law says about tenancy renewals in England

In England, the private rental landscape has undergone its biggest shift in decades. Under Section 1 of the Renters' Rights Act 2025, which came into force on 1 May 2026, all assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) automatically converted into rolling 'assured periodic tenancies' (APTs) under a new Section 4A of the Housing Act 1988.

This means there is no longer any such thing as a fixed-term private tenancy. All tenancies now run on a rolling basis (usually month-to-month) with no set end date. Under Section 4A(1)(a) of the Housing Act 1988, any clause in a contract attempting to enforce a fixed term is legally void and of no effect.

Your landlord cannot require or force you to sign a new agreement to 'renew' your tenancy. If you had a written contract before 1 May 2026, it transitioned automatically. Landlords are only required to hand you an official government Information Sheet explaining these statutory changes, not a new contract.

Why forcing a new agreement is a legal offense

Some landlords and agents try to pressure tenants into signing new agreements to bypass the strict protections of the Renters' Rights Act. They might attempt to lock you into a new fixed term or sneak in a rent-review clause. This is not just unfair; it is highly illegal.

Under Section 16E of the Housing Act 1988, it is a civil breach for a landlord or letting agent to 'purport to let' a property for a fixed term. If they pressure you to sign a contract with a fixed term, they face a civil penalty of up to £7,000 from the local housing authority.

Furthermore, landlords cannot use new contracts to force rent hikes. Under Section 13 of the Housing Act 1988, rent can only be increased once a year using an official Form 4A Section 13 notice. Any rent-review clauses in a new contract trying to bypass this statutory process are entirely void.

Your rights, the eviction ban, and how Caunsel can help

If your landlord is threatening to evict you for refusing to sign, remember that Section 21 'no-fault' evictions have been completely abolished in England. Your landlord cannot simply give you notice to leave because you stood up for your rights. To evict you, they must serve a Section 8 notice and prove a specific legal ground (such as wanting to sell the property or move in themselves) in a court of law.

You do not have to face this pressure alone. If your landlord or letting agent is threatening you, sending non-compliant contracts, or trying to force an illegal rent hike, you can use Caunsel to research your housing rights, safely organize and save your landlord communications in a dedicated case file, or connect directly with an independent lawyer to review the disputed tenancy agreement.

Steps

• Confirm that your tenancy is covered. Standard private residential tenancies in England automatically converted to assured periodic tenancies on 1 May 2026.
• Do not sign any document that specifies a fixed term (e.g., 6 or 12 months), as establishing a fixed term is a direct violation of Section 16E of the Housing Act 1988.
• State your refusal in writing. Send a polite, clear email explaining that under the Renters' Rights Act, your tenancy has automatically converted to a rolling periodic agreement and a new contract is not legally required.
• Gather and save all evidence. Keep copies of the draft contracts, emails, text messages, or letters where the landlord or agent attempts to pressure you.

Common mistakes

• Signing a new agreement out of fear of an immediate 'no-fault' eviction, failing to realize that Section 21 evictions have been completely abolished.
• Believing your landlord's claim that your existing tenancy 'expired' and that you have no right to stay without a new signature.
• Agreeing to arbitrary rent increases written into a new contract instead of requiring the landlord to use the statutory Section 13 Form 4A process.

Questions people ask

Can my landlord evict me if I refuse to sign a new tenancy agreement?

No. Under the Renters' Rights Act, Section 21 evictions are abolished in England. Your landlord cannot evict you simply because you refuse to sign a new contract. They must prove a valid legal ground under Section 8 in court.

What if the landlord says I have to sign because the old contract expired?

This is incorrect. On 1 May 2026, almost all existing assured shorthold tenancies automatically converted into rolling assured periodic tenancies. There are no more fixed-term renewals. Your rolling monthly tenancy continues automatically.

Can my landlord increase my rent if I refuse to sign?

Your landlord can only increase your rent once a year and must use the official Section 13 process. They cannot force a rent hike by making you sign a new contract, and any rent-review clause they insert is legally void.

General information only, last updated 2026-10-06. Caunsel is not a law firm and does not practise law. AI answers and this guide are not legal advice. Verify filings, deadlines, and statutes with a licensed lawyer in United Kingdom.