Interest in the property investment implications of the Renters’ Rights Act increased sharply before the legislation came into force, with new analysis showing landlords and tenants turned to online searches for answers as key deadlines approached.
Research by Coventry for intermediaries, based on Google Trends data, found searches for "renters rights act 2026" climbed by 600% between 1 January and 1 May 2026. The search term reached a peak interest score of 100, the highest relative level of popularity recorded during the period.
The lender said the findings suggest both landlords and tenants were seeking a better understanding of how the legislation would affect them before it took effect on 1 May.
The largest increase among the terms analysed was for "renters rights information sheet", with searches rising by 2,250% compared with the previous period.
The information sheet became a legal requirement under the new rules, and landlords who fail to provide it to tenants by 31 May 2026 risk fines of up to £7,000.
Unlike the other search terms included in the analysis, interest in the information sheet had not yet reached its highest point when data collection ended on 1 May.
Coventry for intermediaries said this indicates many landlords were still looking for guidance as the compliance deadline drew closer, raising questions about whether information had reached them early enough.
Property investment questions drive landlord searches
The research also found rising interest in tenancy-related topics beyond the legislation itself.
Searches for "what is a tenancy agreement" increased by 190%, while "assured tenancy" rose by 110%. According to the analysis, this may reflect first-time renters seeking information, as well as landlords refreshing their knowledge of tenancy rules.
Meanwhile, searches for "limited company" increased by 70%, suggesting some landlords are reviewing how they structure their portfolios as part of their wider property investment strategy.
The analysis also found that four of the five key buy-to-let search terms monitored reached their highest level of interest during the research period.
“The Renters’ Rights Act was clearly front and centre for landlords and tenants earlier this year. The scale of search activity shows just how many people were turning to Google for answers on what the changes mean in practice,” said Jonathan Stinton, head of intermediary relationships at Coventry for intermediaries.
He continued: “But it’s concerning that one of the sharpest rises is for a legal requirement carrying a fine of up to £7,000 – that suggests the guidance landlords needed wasn’t reaching them clearly enough, or in time.
“A strong private rental sector has to work for both sides. Tenants need confidence in their rights, and landlords need confidence to stay in the market and plan for the long term. The rise in ‘limited company’ searches suggests many are already weighing up how to restructure for it and make sure their property investments are economically viable.
“This is where brokers can make a real difference. By helping landlords and tenants navigate the details behind the headlines, brokers can build the trust and give the expertise that a search engine can’t provide, and strengthen relationships that last well beyond a single conversation.”
