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Is rental bidding banned?
By the VoxaMTD team. Last verified 31 October 2026
Yes. In England landlords and agents must publish an asking rent and cannot encourage or accept offers above it. GOV.UK says it is illegal to encourage people to bid and offer to pay higher rent for your property. The rule has applied since 1 May 2026.
The Act also limits rent in advance. GOV.UK says you cannot ask for, encourage or accept a payment of rent before you and your tenant have signed the tenancy agreement. The guide adds that landlords may require no more than one month's rent after signing and before the tenancy starts, and that within a tenancy a landlord cannot require rent to be paid before it is due. Tenants may still pay early if they choose.
Set the advertised rent at the figure you would accept, because you cannot use competing offers to push it up. Keep a copy of every advert as published and log any enquiry that offers more, together with your reply declining it. Letting agents and anyone acting on your behalf can be liable too, so check that your agent follows the same rule.
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Sources
- GOV.UK: Renters' Rights Act: an overview for landlords
- GOV.UK: Guide to the Renters' Rights Act
- GOV.UK: Enforcement measures for landlords: Renters' Rights Act 2025