"The Renters' Rights Act is the biggest change to the private rented sector in a generation, and this data shows that plenty of people still need support getting ready for it"
- Allison Thompson - Leaders
Research from LRG shows that while awareness of the Renters' Rights Act is widespread, what it means in practice remains unclear for many landlords and tenants. Some 44% of landlords and 64% of tenants say they are not confident about what will actually change when the Act comes into force.
LRG's most recent lettings report, based on a survey of landlords and tenants across England and Wales, found that only 5% of landlords say they are very confident in their understanding of the changes ahead.
Among tenants, just 9% feel very confident, and barely one in four feels fairly confident. The Act was designed to give renters greater security, yet it is tenants who feel least ready for it.
Landlords and tenants point to different concerns when asked about the transition. Nearly half of landlords (48%) say their biggest worry is losing control of outcomes, reflecting anxiety about what periodic tenancies will mean for day-to-day property management.
For tenants, affordability tops the list at 50%, with 41% also concerned about understanding the new processes. Both groups are looking at the same rules and seeing different problems.
The Act is already shaping how tenants think about renting. Around 24% say they now expect to stay in their current home for longer as tenancies become periodic, and 50% say the new rules will influence how they choose their next property.
On the landlord side, two-thirds say they want their agent to manage the changes required before the switch to periodic-only tenancies, a clear signal of where landlords place their trust in compliance.
All of this is unfolding against a backdrop of tight supply. According to the English Housing Survey 2024, 19% of households in England now rent privately, and nearly two-thirds of landlords expect supply to tighten further over the next twelve months. The Renters' Rights Act received Royal Assent in July 2025, with Phase 1 implementation set for May 2026.
"The Renters' Rights Act is the biggest change to the private rented sector in a generation, and this data shows that plenty of people still need support getting ready for it," said Allison Thompson, chief lettings officer at Leaders, part of LRG.
"Landlords are right to lean on their agents, and we're well placed to help them through every step. But tenants need support too. A law designed to give renters more security only works if renters actually understand what it means for them. There is real work still to do, and the clock is ticking."
