Landlord search activity spikes ahead of major Renters’ Rights Act changes in May
The latest research from Dwelly has found that landlord search activity relating to the Renters’ Rights Act (RRA) has surged over the past three months, as many prepare for the legislation’s most significant reforms set to come into force in May.
Dwelly analysed Google search trends data for key terms relating to the Renters’ Rights Act, assessing the strength of searches over the past three months and comparing this with the previous three-month period.
The Renters’ Rights Act received Royal Assent on 27 October 2025, officially becoming law. However, its provisions are being introduced in phases, with May 2026 bringing the next wave of significant change, including the abolition of Section 21 no-fault evictions, the move to periodic tenancies for all private rental agreements, a ban on rental bidding, and new rules allowing tenants to keep pets.
Ahead of these changes coming into force, the analysis by Dwelly shows that search activity relating to the new legislation has spiked.
Searches for the term “Renters’ Rights Act” have climbed by 86.4% compared to the previous three months, whilst searches for “landlord ombudsman” have surged by 157.5%, suggesting landlords are increasingly seeking clarity on how the reforms will affect them.
Several of the Act’s key provisions are also driving heightened search interest.
Pet rentals, another major topic due to the removal of blanket bans on pets, has seen search interest increase by 111.8% over the last three months, while searches relating to Section 21 and its removal have climbed by 13.1%.
While these topics appear to dominate landlord attention, interest in some other elements of the reforms has fallen. Searches relating to the Decent Homes Standard have declined by 11.5%, while interest in fixed-term tenancies has slipped by 2.8% over the same period.
Sam Humphreys, Head of M&A at Dwelly, commented:
“The spike in search activity shows that landlords are actively trying to understand what the Renters’ Rights Act will mean for them and their portfolios and, with the most significant reforms arriving in May, it’s clear that many are now starting to prepare for the practical implications.
For letting agents, this creates both a responsibility and an opportunity. Landlords are looking for clear guidance on what the changes mean and how they should respond, whether that’s adapting tenancy structures, understanding the removal of Section 21, or preparing for the introduction of the landlord ombudsman and new pet rules.
Providing that level of support takes time and resources, which is why operational efficiency has never been more important. The agents who have already streamlined their operations through the adoption of the right technology are far better positioned to go that extra mile for their landlords, ensuring they remain compliant while navigating one of the biggest legislative shifts the sector has seen in decades.”
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