Industry Reaction to Renters’ Rights Bill Becoming Law
The Renters’ Rights Act has officially received Royal Assent, marking one of the most significant reforms to England’s private rented sector in decades. The new law will ban Section 21 no-fault evictions, replace fixed-term tenancies with open-ended agreements, cap rent increases, and introduce tougher property standards under the updated Decent Homes Standard.
It also paves the way for a national landlord register and a new private rented sector ombudsman, while extending Awaab’s Law to private landlords. Although the exact implementation timetable is still to be finalised, the Government has confirmed that further secondary legislation will follow in due course, signalling the start of a major transition period for landlords, letting agents, and tenants alike.
Here are some thoughts from the Industry.
Dr Neil Cobbold, Commercial Director, Reapit
“Reapit welcomes the clarity Royal Assent of the Renters’ Rights Act will bring to the private rented sector. Letting agents finally have certainty on what will change, but also tremendous opportunity to prove their value to landlords and tenants.
“The latest English Private Landlord Survey shows that only 4% of landlords are engaged in that role full-time, while around 45% own just one rental property. What that tells you is that many landlords are small-scale, part-time or self-managing. They will need professional support from agents more than ever to adapt to what is the biggest change to the private rented sector in decades.
“It’s equally important to understand that this isn’t a “everything changes tomorrow” moment. Some of the key provisions – for example the new landlord portal, ombudsman and extension of the Decent Homes Standard to private rented homes – will be phased in over time, with some coming into force only in the mid-2030s. This gives everyone time to adapt.
“Reapit’s message to agents is simple: the value you bring will only rise with the compliance and knowledge burden the Act places on managing rentals. Those part-time landlords who make up the majority of the sector will struggle to cope alone as the regulatory demands increase, so agents who can position themselves as trusted and strategic advisers will become the partners of choice for landlords across England. At Reapit we’re ready to support agencies across the country with the tools and insight they need to lead the market.”
Marc von Grundherr, Director of Benham and Reeves
“The Renters’ Rights Act brings to an end years of uncertainty, but in doing so it opens a new chapter of compliance and complexity for landlords. While it’s positive that we now have clarity, the path to full implementation will not be a straightforward one.
Many landlords will be wary of further administrative burden and reduced flexibility, but at least they now know where they stand and can begin to plan accordingly. Once the dust settles and the finer details are clear, we expect the sector to stabilise and confidence to return.”
Sián Hemming-Metcalfe, Operations Director at Inventory Base
“The Renters’ Rights Act marks a pivotal moment for the lettings industry, moving us from debate to delivery after what seems like a very protracted period of political back-and-forth. While it undoubtedly raises the bar on compliance, it also provides the certainty and structure that landlords and agents have been waiting for.
What’s vital now is that the Government resists the temptation to keep moving the goalposts. The private rented sector is essential to housing supply, and constant legislative change only fuels uncertainty. The focus should now be on supporting responsible landlords rather than penalising them.”
Sam Humphreys, Head of M&A at Dwelly
“For landlords, this may feel like another legislative hurdle to overcome, but the reality is that many are already operating to the improved standards that have now been set in legal stone.
The focus now must shift to implementation and ensuring that landlords understand their new obligations, that tenants are properly protected, and that technology and process innovation are used to help ease the administrative load that will inevitably follow.”
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