Government launches PRS data drive to track Renters’ Rights Act impact

The government has announced a new data collection strategy to monitor the private rented sector (PRS).

In a policy paper published by the government, ministers said the strategy is intended to assess how the Renters’ Rights Act will affect the PRS following the legislation coming into force.

The data will also monitor the PRS Database and the PRS Ombudsman.

How reforms are landing in practice

The government claims the core principles of the data will be underlined by understanding the problems renters face and evaluating the impact of legislative changes.

The paper explains: “To deliver the ambition of a fairer, safer and more secure PRS, it is important that the department is able to see clearly how the sector is functioning, how reforms are landing in practice, and how renters, landlords, agents and local authorities are experiencing change on the ground.

“Achieving this requires development in the quality, coherence and transparency of the data we collect, use and share.”

“Our vision is to establish an integrated PRS data system that enables robust, timely and granular insight.

“Where appropriate, the department will publish PRS data to support transparency and enable government, Parliament, researchers and other stakeholders to better understand how the market is operating and how reforms are shaping behaviours and outcomes.”

Identify pressures emerging in the tribunal system

The government have also announced it will introduce systems to monitor data on First-Tier Tribunal cases.

The government explains: “His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service is ensuring that robust data about private rented sector cases in the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber), including applications to challenge a rent increase, can be collected and monitored.

“These data sources will enable the department to monitor how disputes, possession activity and rent challenges are changing over time, identify pressures emerging in the tribunal system, and assess whether reforms are improving access to justice and fairer outcomes in the private rented sector.”

The news comes after the government admitted it does not know how long the rent appeals system takes to process cases, raising concerns the Tribunal could be flooded with challenges now the Renters’ Rights Act has come into force.

Potential to provide useful information

The government add they will also use the PRS Database and the PRS Ombudsman to collect and monitor data.

The policy paper says: “We anticipate that we will begin collecting operational, administrative and management data through the PRS Database during Phase 2 of implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act.

“Over time, the database has the potential to provide a useful additional source of information on the private rented sector, including the size and distribution of PRS properties, patterns of ownership, selected property characteristics, and some aspects of compliance and enforcement, subject to the final scope of data collected and data quality considerations.

“In addition, linking property data from the PRS database using UPRNs could allow cross-referencing to other sources of property information such as the English Housing Survey to provide a more holistic picture of a property.”

The government adds: “The Ombudsman will provide a dedicated redress service for private rented sector tenants. They will publish annual reports to highlight emerging trends and issues across the sector.

“This will help embed lessons learned from real complaints, promote consistent standards, and set clear expectations for good practice across the sector.”

Findings of an evaluation of the act will be published in May 2028 and May 2031.