From BBC England yesterday:

Described as the biggest shake-up to renting in England for more than 30 years, a new law giving tenants more rights was formally approved at the end of October. The government has now confirmed that the main changes will come into force from 1 May 2026. The new rules will affect more than 11 million people.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqjwqp72y7ro

No mention of Scotland is being made. Why should it be?

The Renters’ Rights Act will bring the English private rented sector much closer to the system Scotland has had since 2017 under Private Residential Tenancies (PRTs), but some meaningful differences will remain. Scotland has already operated a periodic/open-ended tenancy model with no no-fault evictions for nearly a decade. England is now adopting a similar framework, so tenants in England will gain significant new protections that Scottish tenants have long enjoyed. However, Scotland retains some advantages in tenant flexibility and has additional tools like potential local rent controls.

https://www.propertyreporter.co.uk/what-the-renters-rights-act-means-for-tenants-from-may.html

What are the advantages in the Scottish system?

Renters only have to give 28 days notice as opposed to 2 months so it’s easier to move.

Longer minimum notice periods for the landlord, higher penalties for unlawful eviction, localised rent caps in areas of high demand.

Sources:

• Official legislation: Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 – Part 2 (Evictions) and full contents. legislation.gov.uk
• Brodies LLP summary: The Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 and the Renters’ Rights Act (explicitly notes the new duty to consider delaying eviction). brodies.com
• Gilson Gray: Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 – New Tenant Rights (covers delay consideration and Tribunal weighing of circumstances). gilsongray.co.uk
• Scottish Landlords / Citylets summaries on increased damages (3–36 months’ rent) and Tribunal duties. https://scottishlandlords.com/news-and-campaigns/news/housing-scotland-act-2025-update/