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Resisting Rent Increases: taking power back with the Renters’ rights Act
From 1st May 2026, the Renters’ Rights Act comes into power, giving tenants new rights and introducing new rules for private landlords.
These new rules are empowering for renters, and we will be using them to challenge unfair treatment from landlords. Check out our latest campaign here
This information sheet explains how the new rules may affect your current tenancy. These changes only affect you if you are a tenant in the private rented sector with an assured or assured shorthold tenancy. If you live in social housing or you are a lodger, the new rules will not usually apply to you.
These rules have been introduced by law. Your landlord cannot put anything into a tenancy agreement to change them.
We are using these new powers to resist rent increases. Join us.
Even if you are not facing a rent increase. Even if your proposed rent increase is minimal. Resist. Resist on principal. Resist for the others in your community who can barely afford their groceries. Resist because landlords simply do not need and do not deserve another pay rise by leeching off of our hard work. Our labour should not be their pocket money.
For more information, and to pledge, click here!
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Our time at the National Housing Demonstration
ORU members marched with over 80 unions and campaign organisers on the 18th to say NO MORE. No more giving over half of our paycheck to parasitic landlords, no more to mould filling our lungs, no more struggling to scrape by whilst the rich feed off of us and get richer. Rent controls now!
The march was the first of its kind in over a decade, with thousands taking to the streets in a show of force.
watch our video to check out what it was like, and get the inside scoop on when our new campaign is launching!
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Electing a committee, planning our first campaign and more!
It’s been a busy couple of months for ORU! Since our last post we’ve had two all member meetings, and we’ve really hit the ground running.
Our March AMM saw us elect our first ever ORU committee, and we voted on our first campaign…more info coming on May 1st. Stay tuned, it’s gonna be a big one! Wonderful ORU members Freddie, Lola and Toby also made an amazing Persian feast for us to enjoy together after our meeting.
In April, we had our first member defence clinic at our AMM. Members were free to attend and discuss any housing struggles they were experiencing, and the union was there in solidarity to work together and brainstorm solutions. This was followed by another yummy communal meal prepped by members Arun and Maisie – Ragù with pasta.
Our working groups also shared what they’d been busy collaborating on, and we looked to the future: next steps for the National Housing Demo, our campaign launch in May, and more. Join now to get involved, shape our union, and fight back for housing justice.
