Hoping someone can help clarify my situation.
I'm on a rolling monthly tenancy. My contract states 1 month notice to vacate. The new Renters' Rights Act came into force today (1st May 2026) requiring tenants to give 2 months' notice.
Here's where it gets complicated:
On 28th April 2026 (3 days before the new law kicked in), my landlord and I had a discussion around me leaving the property to look for new apartments and he agreed on one month notice and also sent me a WhatsApp message saying:
*"Please note as discussed you'd need to pay until 1st June and give notice by 1st May."*
So I acted on this and gave formal written notice today, 1st May, with a vacate date of 1st June — which is roughly 1 month.
The landlord is now backtracking and saying I need to give 2 months' notice under the new law.
However, from what I've read, the Renters' Rights Act itself states that a landlord and tenant CAN mutually agree in writing to a shorter notice period than 2 months. I'm arguing that the agent's WhatsApp message on 28th April constitutes exactly that — a written mutual agreement.
My questions:
Does the landlord's WhatsApp message of 28th April count as a valid written mutual agreement for a shorter notice period under the Renters' Rights Act?
Can the landlord backtrack on their own written instruction now that the new law is in force?
Am I legally protected here or am I stuck giving 2 months?
Any advice from those familiar with the new Act would be massively appreciated. I've already sent a formal email citing the legal exception and their own message. Just want to know where I actually stand.
The law is supposed to protect tenants but looks like it's acting against me.
Thanks