Experts highlight need for greater tenant awareness of RRA
The Renters’ Rights Act marks a radical shift in tenant protections and rights, placing a greater burden of duty of responsibility on landlords’ shoulders than ever before.
Despite this, the latest research from Propoly reveals that 36% of tenants confess to having little to no knowledge about the Renters’ Rights Act, and 88% have made no efforts to speak to their landlord or letting agent about how the Act might impact their tenancy and their rights.
Propoly has surveyed 1,050 UK tenants and found that, despite the scale of reform introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act, there is a clear gap between legislative change and tenant engagement.
Just a quarter of tenants (25%) surveyed describe themselves as “very familiar” with the Act, while more than a third (36%) say they are either aware of it by name alone, or not at all.
This limited understanding is reflected in tenant behaviour, with 88% admitting they have not contacted their landlord or letting agent for guidance on how the changes may affect them. The same proportion have also not sought information from other sources, such as solicitors, online resources, or tenant advocacy organisations.
Among the minority who have taken steps to better understand the legislation, specific questions are already beginning to emerge. The most commonly raised issue relates to changes to tenancy structures, including the abolition of Assured Shorthold Tenancies, cited by 26% of respondents.
This is followed by questions around revised rent increase rules (21%) and strengthened legal obligations for property standards, including issues such as damp and mould (21%). Additionally, 18% of those seeking advice say they have done so to better understand how the Act will impact pet ownership rights.
Encouragingly, 60% of tenants say they feel confident in their understanding of how the Renters’ Rights Act will affect their tenancy. However, this means a significant 40% still lack confidence, which shows there is still a need for clearer communication and more proactive engagement across much of the sector.
While 44% of tenants report having no concerns about the upcoming changes, those who do express particular worries or confusion around rent increases (23%), as well as the possibility of shifts in landlord behaviour. Around 17% expressed concern that the new regulatory landscape could lead to more frequent, intrusive, or stringent property inspections and increased oversight during their tenancy. Potential concerns lie in whether or not landlords will now look to force evictions based on the most minor of infractions.
Sim Sekhon, Group CEO at Propoly, commented:
“The Renters’ Rights Act represents a significant moment for the lettings sector, and its success will largely depend on how well tenants understand and engage with it. If tenants aren’t aware of their rights, they are far less likely to raise issues with their letting agents or landlords, or to challenge situations where those rights may not be upheld. In many ways, awareness is the mechanism that turns policy into real, lived improvement.
The good news is that tenants are very much in favour of the Act, and excited to enjoy greater security and protections in their home, so when agents and landlords do communicate the changes to them, it is almost universally well received.”
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