Majority of Tenants Unsure How Changes Will Affect Them, Says LRG
With major changes to the private rental sector on the horizon, 62% of tenants say they don’t know whether the government’s Renters’ Rights Bill will address their concerns – highlighting a growing need for clearer communication around what the reforms will mean in practice.
LRG’s latest Lettings Report shows that while landlords are widely aware of the proposed changes, many remain uncertain about how introducing a PRS Ombudsman and a digitised court process will affect their ability to manage tenancies. At the same time, tenants continue to prioritise better communication and faster maintenance responses over additional regulation, suggesting that while reforms may help, the real gains lie in strengthening day-to-day relationships.
According to the survey, 88% of landlords are aware of the Renters’ Rights Bill – currently progressing through Parliament – but 55% are unsure whether the proposed ombudsman will improve dispute resolution. Just 20% believe it will be beneficial. Similarly, 79% are uncertain that a digitised court process will deliver improvements, reflecting practical implementation concerns. One landlord commented: “We are already ahead of the curve in terms of compliance and legal awareness – what we need now is clarity on how the ombudsman would actually function.”
These views echo wider industry concerns. Research from Propertymark found that 88% of letting agents and landlords believe the court system will not cope with the expected rise in possession hearings unless it is properly reformed. The NRLA has also highlighted that landlords are now waiting an average of almost 29 weeks to regain possession through the courts – adding pressure to a system already struggling with delays.
Another landlord observed: “The biggest risk is the legal process slowing everything down. If that happens, landlords will exit the sector and rents will rise.” Others voiced support for reform “I support reform, but only if it’s balanced. The system needs to work for everyone – not just assume the landlord is at fault.”
Tenants, meanwhile, remain cautiously optimistic. Just 22% believe the Renters’ Rights Bill will improve their rights, but awareness is limited – 37% said they were unfamiliar with the contents of The Bill or had never heard of it. While 38% would support a digitised court system to make dispute resolution more accessible, nearly half (49%) are unsure of the benefits.
One tenant told LRG “I like the idea of having someone impartial to go to. But I’d need to trust that it actually gets results.” Another tenant summed up the broader mood: “I don’t want more rules – I just want to be heard and have problems dealt with quickly.” That aligns with the survey’s finding that 50% of tenants believe faster responses and clearer communication would do more to improve relationships than further regulation. Just 16% felt an ombudsman would make a meaningful difference.
Encouragingly, 69% of tenants said their landlord is proactive and transparent about legal responsibilities, with 75% reporting that maintenance issues are addressed within a week. While these figures show a strong base of professionalism across the sector, tenants and landlords alike are calling for clarity on how reforms will be delivered in practice.
Allison Thompson, National Lettings Managing Director at LRG, commented,
“This latest report shows just how engaged landlords are when it comes to understanding their responsibilities – but it also highlights a clear need for more clarity from government. There is an appetite for reform, but the sector is asking fair and essential questions about how these changes will work in practice.
“Tenants, meanwhile, are telling us they value better communication and responsiveness above all else. It’s those everyday interactions – how quickly a repair is handled or how clearly an issue is explained – that shape trust and satisfaction. As the reforms take shape, that human element will remain just as important as any legislative change.”
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