Regulation tops the list of agents’ concerns. Nearly 60% of respondents cited new regulations as their primary worry for 2025 - reflecting growing unease ahead of the Renters' Rights Bill, which is due to become law later this year.
The legislation will abolish fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies and Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, while introducing more stringent repair obligations, rent challenge rights for tenants and tighter compliance deadlines. The Bill also introduces an independent ombudsman for the PRS and significantly increases penalties for non-compliance.
More than 61% of property professionals surveyed by Reapit said they were 'dissatisfied' with the draft proposals first introduced in 2024, while fewer than one in ten expressed support. EPC changes are also on the horizon for the PRS, with all properties needing to reach a minimum EPC C for new lets by 2028.
However, in correspondence with Reapit, the government has revealed it is looking to address some of the industry’s concerns around the Renters’ Rights Bill.
In a reply to Reapit’s enquiries, Minister of State for Housing and Planning Matthew Pennycook MP explained that HM Courts and Tribunals Service is looking to address delays in bailiff enforcement affecting landlords by strengthening bailiff recruitment and retention, issuing clearer guidance on rights and responsibilities, and launching an automated payment system to streamline debt recovery to free up bailiffs for possession cases.
The government is also working on a new end-to-end digital possession service that will automate warrant requests and fee submissions, with the aim of accelerating the enforcement process by cutting the amount of admin time spent on paperwork.
To prepare for potentially increased demand across the tribunal system, work is underway to expand capacity within the Tribunal Property Chamber. A new power has also been introduced, allowing the government to backdate rent increases following a Tribunal determination to prevent the system from becoming overwhelmed. The government is also considering a faster, alternative mechanism for initial rent assessments, avoiding a tribunal hearing entirely.
A national communications campaign will also be launched to raise awareness of the Renters' Rights Bill and guide tenants, landlords and agents to relevant support and information.
Dr Neil Cobbold, commercial director at Reapit UKI, said that the way agents approach new regulations is critical: “It’s understandable agents are concerned about upcoming regulation, change is on the horizon and for the lettings sector it’s the biggest in 30 years.
“But agents don’t need to go it alone. At Reapit we’re working not only to adapt our tech to help agents manage these changes to the sector, but also constantly talking to the government, MPs and civil servants to share the concerns of agents everywhere.
“Agencies that act early to understand their new obligations and invest in tools that support compliance will be best positioned to ride the coming wave of reform.”
