Landlords can no longer refuse you for claiming benefits
Key points
- Landlords in England can no longer refuse you a home just because you claim Universal Credit or Housing Benefit
- Section 21 no-fault evictions are abolished — your landlord must have a legal reason to end your tenancy
- Rent can only go up once a year and you can challenge any increase you think is unfair
A big change for renters on benefits
From 1 May 2026, the law means landlords in England cannot refuse you a home just because you claim benefits. The Renters' Rights Act makes this discrimination illegal. Universal Credit (UC) and Housing Benefit both count. You have the same right to rent as anyone else.
You may have seen "No DSS" or "No benefits" written on rental listings. That blanket ban is now against the law. A landlord can still check whether you can afford the rent. But they cannot turn you away simply for receiving benefits or having children.
If you use a site like DSS Move to find a home, this change matters directly. The law now backs you up if a landlord or agent tries to refuse you on those grounds.
What else changed on 1 May 2026
The benefits ban came as part of a wider set of changes under the Renters' Rights Act:
- No more no-fault evictions. Landlords in England can no longer end your tenancy without giving a legal reason. Section 21 notices — used to evict tenants without cause — are now abolished.
- Rolling tenancies. All assured shorthold tenancies became rolling month-to-month agreements on 1 May 2026. There are no more fixed-term contracts for new private lettings in England.
- Rent rises limited to once a year. Your landlord can raise your rent no more than once every 12 months. If you think any rise is unfair, you can challenge it.
- Rent in advance limit. Landlords can ask for no more than one month's rent in advance before you move in.
These changes give you more security. You cannot be moved on without a reason. You can plan your money knowing your rent will not jump mid-year.
Search for your next property on DSSmove →Getting help
If a landlord refuses you because you claim benefits, or if you receive a notice to leave without a reason, you do not have to face it alone.
Citizens Advice offers free, confidential help with housing issues. Their advisers can explain what the new law means for you and what to do next. Shelter also runs a free helpline for anyone worried about losing their home.
Frequently asked questions
A landlord turned me down because I claim UC. What can I do?
Contact Citizens Advice for free help — they can explain your rights and advise on what steps to take next.
Do all these changes apply in Scotland and Wales too?
Not all of them. The ban on refusing benefit claimants applies in Scotland from 1 May 2026 and in Wales from 1 June 2026. But other parts — like rolling tenancies and the Section 21 abolition — apply to England only.
Official source: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renters-rights-act-overview-for-tenants