"Our findings suggest that many tenants remain uncertain about what has changed, what protections are now in place, and whether their property manager has fully adapted to the new requirements"
- Roma Sharma - Rushbrook & Rathbone.
Just 32% of tenants living in managed properties believe their property manager is fully compliant with the Renters' Rights Act (RRA), according to new research from property management specialist Rushbrook & Rathbone. The findings, drawn from a survey of 1,105 UK tenants in managed properties, suggest widespread uncertainty about whether managing agents have taken the necessary steps following the legislation's implementation on 1 May.
The most immediate concern is communication. Only 29% of tenants say their management company has thoroughly explained the changes resulting from the RRA, while 50% report receiving no communication at all. Managing agents had until 31 May to distribute updated documentation, yet 59% of tenants say their tenancy agreements have seen no changes.
That lack of clarity appears to be weighing on confidence. Just 40% of managed tenants believe their property fully meets the new RRA requirements on health and safety hazards, including damp and mould.
Only 41% say their manager has historically addressed maintenance issues without delay, suggesting long-standing shortcomings may be going unresolved under the new framework.
The picture on visible action is equally stark. Since hearing about the RRA, 91% of tenants report seeing no noticeable change from their property manager, with just 7% observing any improvements.
Only 19% say their manager has responded proactively by addressing issues such as damp, mould, or safety concerns, while 6% say minor improvements have been made but with limited communication around them. A further 7% feel their manager is aware of issues but has been slow to act, and 69% say their manager has either taken no visible action or they simply don't know due to ongoing poor communication.
Taken together, 42% of tenants believe there are at least some gaps in their manager's compliance, and a further 26% say they don't know, pointing to the extent to which poor communication is undermining confidence across the sector.
"With the implementation period now behind us, tenants should have confidence that their property manager has taken the necessary steps to comply with the new legislation and communicate any relevant changes," said Roma Sharma, managing director of Rushbrook & Rathbone.
"However, our findings suggest that many tenants remain uncertain about what has changed, what protections are now in place, and whether their property manager has fully adapted to the new requirements.
"At the same time, the absence of visible action, particularly when it comes to issues like damp, mould and general safety, points to a wider problem within parts of the industry, where compliance risks becoming a box-ticking exercise rather than a genuine commitment to raising standards.
"For property managers, this is a clear moment of accountability. Those who fail to communicate transparently and act decisively risk falling short of both their legal obligations and tenant expectations. By contrast, there is a real opportunity for responsible operators to set themselves apart by being proactive, responsive, and fully aligned with both the letter and the spirit of the new law."
