New research from lettings acquisition and success planning specialist Dwelly shows that 57% of landlords do not feel prepared for the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act, placing increased pressure on letting agents to guide them through the transition.
The legislation, which recently received Royal Assent, represents one of the biggest overhauls of the private rented sector in decades and will bring major changes to tenancies, property standards and landlord compliance.
The Act will abolish Section 21 no-fault evictions, introduce a national landlord register and replace fixed-term tenancies with periodic agreements.
It will also introduce new rules on rent increases, notice periods and property standards. Dwelly’s survey of landlords in England found that half say they are not very prepared for these changes and a further 7% admit they are not prepared at all.
Just 15% consider themselves very well prepared, while 27% feel only somewhat prepared. Dwelly said the findings reflect months of political uncertainty, shifting timelines and a lack of clear guidance for the sector.
Landlords expressed particular concern about the abolition of Section 21, the rules on tenants keeping pets, the creation of the national landlord register, the move to periodic tenancies and the introduction of stricter notice and rent increase limits.
Many plan to lean on letting agents for support, with 42% saying they expect their agent to manage the compliance changes on their behalf.
However, only 23% report receiving clear guidance and an action plan from their agent, while almost half say they have had no communication at all.
Most landlords welcome the Government’s decision to phase in the Act, with 71% saying a staggered rollout will make compliance easier, but two-thirds argue that official guidance remains unclear, especially on timelines and practical requirements.
Sam Humphreys, head of M&A at Dwelly, said: “It’s understandable that many landlords don’t yet feel properly prepared. While this legislation has been on the radar for years, the constant back-and-forth has made it difficult for the industry to gain clarity, let alone individual landlords.
“Even now, having gained Royal Assent, there’s still no concrete timeline for implementation. What is clear is that landlords are increasingly looking to their letting agents for support, and those agents will be key to ensuring a smooth transition.
“This puts an emphasis on operational efficiency, as agents will need to go beyond the day-to-day to provide clarity, guidance and proactive communication.
“At Dwelly, we’re already helping our agencies strengthen these capabilities – from process automation to compliance management – so they can confidently lead their landlords through the Renters’ Rights Act and demonstrate their value in a changing market.”
