"Such large-scale change is, of course, never entirely smooth sailing, but it seems there is still much to be done in terms of getting the message out there about how renting is changing"
- Graham Hayward - Housing Hand
Just 22% of UK renters feel confident they understand how the Renters' Rights Act affects their rights, down from 25% in 2025, according to new research from rental services provider Housing Hand.
The findings come from Housing Hand's second annual survey of UK private rental sector tenants, published in its Understanding Renters in 2026 report. Around 1,700 renters took part, including both student renters and working professionals.
The survey was conducted three months before the Act's 1 May implementation date, at which point 88% of respondents admitted they did not know when the legislation would come into force.
Of those surveyed, 29% said they had never heard of the Renters' Rights Act, while a further 37% had heard of it but had no clear sense of what it involves. The overall picture is one of widespread confusion: 42% of renters describe the UK rental market as confusing right now.
"Confusion is rife in the rental sector, with significant knowledge gaps among tenants as to precisely what the Renters' Rights Act is and how it affects them," said Graham Hayward, managing director of Housing Hand.
"Such large-scale change is, of course, never entirely smooth sailing, but it seems there is still much to be done in terms of getting the message out there about how renting is changing."
Among the 22% of renters who do feel they understand the Act's implications, that figure drops further to 19% for student renters. Many in this group are already thinking about the longer-term impact of the changes on their tenancy choices. One in five renters who understand the Act say they will choose to rent a different type of property as a result of the changes it introduces, while another 27% say they may consider doing so.
Hayward added: "The next couple of years will be a very interesting time for the rental sector, as tenants' choices reflect a growing appreciation for their new rights. Understanding of the Renters' Rights Act may be limited currently, but as awareness grows, we will see the sector evolve in new ways and stand ready to support both our renter clients and accommodation providers and landlords through these changes."
