Get help early
If you are homeless or may lose your home, contact your local council's homelessness or housing-options team as soon as possible. In England, councils have prevention and relief duties under homelessness legislation, depending on the circumstances.
GOV.UK — HOMELESSNESS HELPFIND YOUR LOCAL COUNCILPrivate renting changed on 1 May 2026
Major Renters' Rights Act reforms took effect in England on 1 May 2026. Most private assured shorthold tenancies became assured periodic tenancies, and section 21 'no-fault' eviction is no longer generally available under the new system. Transitional rules can still matter where notices or proceedings began before the change.
RENTERS' RIGHTS ACT — TENANT OVERVIEWPRE-1 MAY 2026 TRANSITIONAL CASESFree possession advice
The Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service provides free legal advice and, where appropriate, court representation to people in England and Wales who are at risk of losing their home, regardless of financial circumstances.
HOUSING LOSS PREVENTION ADVICE SERVICEHousing-cost crisis support
From 1 April 2026, England's Crisis and Resilience Fund includes a Housing Payment strand for eligible people who need further help with housing costs.
CRISIS & RESILIENCE FUND