"It’s not just about new rules, it’s about how those rules play out across hundreds or thousands of tenancies in real life. If that’s handled manually, the risk increases quickly"
- Owen Rogers - Alto
Alto has outlined a series of product updates aimed at helping UK estate and letting agents prepare for the Renters’ Rights Act, with the first major changes scheduled for 1 May 2026.
The legislation received Royal Assent in October 2025 and marks a major shift in the private rented sector. It introduces changes such as periodic tenancies, the removal of Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions, tighter rules on rent setting, and expanded compliance and record-keeping obligations.
While much of the industry has focused on interpreting the legal framework, Alto has focused on how those requirements apply in day-to-day operations, embedding them into the workflows agents use to manage properties and tenancies.
Owen Rogers, product director at Alto, said: “The Renters’ Rights Act fundamentally changes how lettings works. It’s not just about new rules, it’s about how those rules play out across hundreds or thousands of tenancies in real life. If that’s handled manually, the risk increases quickly.
“Our job is to take that complexity away. Agents shouldn’t have to interpret legislation every time they create a tenancy or agree a rent. The system should do that for them.”
Renters’ Rights Act changes reshape tenancy management
From May, agents will need to move away from fixed-term Assured Shorthold Tenancies towards periodic agreements. The changes also restrict rental bidding above advertised prices and introduce stricter expectations around audit trails and compliance tracking.
To support this, Alto has added functionality that enables agencies to convert existing tenancies and property records into compliant formats at scale, reducing the need for manual updates. Agents can also create new tenancies in line with the updated legislation, with workflows adjusted to reflect periodic structures.
The platform includes built-in compliance controls that prevent non-compliant tenancy setups and restrict invalid pricing. Safeguards stop agents from accepting offers above the advertised rent, while prompts require justification where restrictions such as pets or children apply, creating a clear audit trail.
Alto also centralises compliance tracking across properties and tenancies, automatically monitoring key dates, including:
- rent reviews
- property inspections
- safety requirements
Each action is recorded within a full audit trail, giving agencies a record of decisions and activity if challenged.
Legal documentation within the system updates in line with UK legislation, reducing reliance on manual templates and helping agencies work from compliant agreements as requirements change.
Owen added: “We made a conscious decision not to rush ‘RRA-ready’ features based on draft guidance. We’ve built this around how lettings will actually operate from May onwards, not how it looked on paper six months ago.”
The updates reflect feedback gathered through consultation with Alto customers, including both independent agencies and multi-branch firms. This process highlighted the need to balance consistent compliance with flexibility across different tenancy scenarios.
Rather than positioning compliance as a separate feature, Alto has integrated the requirements across the lettings process, from property setup and marketing through to tenancy progression and ongoing management. The intention is to make compliance part of routine activity rather than an additional administrative task.
Owen said: “What we’re hearing from agents is that the challenge isn’t understanding the changes, it’s the operational impact. More admin, more edge cases, more risk if things go wrong.
“If your system doesn’t absorb that, your team has to. And that’s where problems start.”
Further elements of the legislation are expected to roll out in phases beyond May. Alto has positioned its updates as an ongoing capability, allowing agencies to adapt as requirements evolve.
The company has also launched a Renters’ Rights Hub on its website, offering tools, FAQs and insights to support agents through the transition.
As the sector adjusts to a more regulated environment, estate agency software is taking on a more central role in supporting compliance, consistency and operational control across lettings.
