Rental bidding ban
Since 1 May 2026 a landlord or agent in England must state the rent when advertising and cannot invite, encourage or accept offers above it.
In short: The rental bidding ban, part of the Renters' Rights Act 2025, stops bidding wars on private lets in England. The advert must state the proposed rent, and the landlord or agent must not ask for or accept more than that. It has applied since 1 May 2026.
Finding a tenantThe Renters’ Rights Act
England. Checked against the law on 5 October 2026. Information, not legal advice.
In practice:
- Every advert or offer of a tenancy states one rent.
- No "offers over", "best offers" or sealed bids, and no accepting a higher offer an applicant volunteers.
- The landlord may still accept less than the advertised rent.
- Breaches can lead to a council civil penalty.
The ban sits beside other rules on choosing a tenant: no more than one month's rent in advance, and no blanket refusals of people with children or receiving benefits.
Choosing the tenant is the landlord's decision, made on lawful, fair grounds.
Read more: What changed for landlords on 1 May 2026
Related: Rent in advance, Material information
Where this comes from
Guides on this
Guide
Rent in advance and rent bidding: what the Renters’ Rights Act allows
Since 1 May 2026 you cannot take rent before the tenancy agreement is signed, can take at most one month's rent before it starts, and cannot invite or accept offers above the rent you advertised.
Guide
What changed for landlords on 1 May 2026
The Renters' Rights Act came into force in England on 1 May 2026. Section 21 is gone, every tenancy is now periodic, and rent rises follow one procedure. Here is what a self-managing landlord actually has to do differently.
Guide
Deposits: the cap, the 30 days and the prescribed information
A tenancy deposit in England is capped at five weeks' rent, must be protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days, and the tenant must get the prescribed information. Miss any of that and you face a penalty of up to three times the deposit.
Guide
First-time landlord checklist for England
From deciding to let to the first rent arriving: the consents, safety checks, licence, right to rent, written statement, deposit, inventory, landlord database and tax, in order, as the law stands after 1 May 2026.
Related terms
Glossary
Client money protection (CMP)
Cover that repays landlords and tenants if an agent loses or misuses money it holds for them. Compulsory for agents in England that hold client money.
Glossary
Energy performance certificate (EPC)
A certificate rating a home's energy efficiency from A (best) to G, valid for ten years. Needed before a home is let or sold, and shown in adverts.
Glossary
Guarantor
A person who promises in writing to pay the rent, or cover other losses, if the tenant does not. Often asked of students or people on a lower income.
Glossary
Holding deposit
A payment of up to one week's rent to reserve a home while the landlord checks an application. It must be returned or put towards the rent or deposit.
Glossary
Letting agent
A business that finds tenants for landlords or manages lets. In England it must join a redress scheme, publish its fees and, if it holds client money, have CMP.
Glossary
Material information
The facts about a home a person needs to decide whether to rent or buy it, such as the rent or price, council tax band, EPC and any known risks, which an advert must not leave out.