Renters Right Act has screwed me! Need help

Quick one for anyone who’s dealt with the new Renters’ Rights Act. Joint ast rental contract in England, fixed term was meant to run until 2 June 2026. Signed in December. It was a 6 month extension on our original 12 months.

The RRA kicked in on 1 May and converted us to a periodic tenancy. We served notice on 2 May wanting to leave 2 June. And had no idea about this new act to be honest.

Agent says we owe 2 months under the new Act, so we’re stuck till July. But our contract has a clause saying tenant notice only needs to be 1 month, and Section 20 of the RRA allows shorter notice periods agreed in writing.

Only catch is the clause is worded as kicking in “at the end of the fixed term” (2 June), though I’d argue the RRA voided the fixed term on 1 May anyway. Anyone been through this?

What I find absolutely bizarre is that with this logic, we’d have been giving two months’ notice BEFORE the act was even active or into law. So essentially requiring us to do something which was neither on the contract or communicated to us by the landlord / property agency. We were not legally obligated to give 2 months before 1st May. Which meant we were always screwed WTF

Absolute nightmare the renters right act has in fact left me with less rights and now an extra month to pay as I simply cannot afford it due to moving into my new apartment.