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Fears of landlord exodus raised in Lords debate on Renters’ Rights Act
9:35 AM, 12th February 2026, 2 months ago
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Peers have clashed over the Renters’ Rights Act, arguing “landlords are voting with their feet” and choosing to leave the market.
In oral questions in the House of Lords, several Peers challenged the government over landlords exiting the market due to the Renters’ Rights Act.
However, Labour Peers claimed the act will lead to better conditions for renters and is fair for good landlords and tenants.
Landlords exiting the market in even higher numbers
Lord Jamieson from the Conservatives tabled a question regarding how landlords, tenants and councils are prepared for the Renters’ Rights Act.
Lord Jamieson raised the point many landlords have chosen to exit the market before the act comes into force on 1 May 2026.
He said: “Landlords are voting with their feet, exiting the market in ever higher numbers. 93,000 in 2025 and 110,000 this year, according to the Black & White Bridging report.
“The English Private Landlord Survey reveals 31% of landlords are looking to reduce their portfolio and 16% to exit completely. Can the Minister explain how this helps those desperately looking for a home to rent?”
Baroness Taylor of Stevenage, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing, claimed the government has worked with landlords to help them prepare.
She said: “We know landlords need time ahead of the implementation to make sure they’re compliant with the reforms which is why we’ve published full guidance on the government website.
“We continue to work constructively with the landlord sector. Officials recently spoke to over 1,000 landlords and letting agents at a webinar organised by Rightmove and attended the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) conference to speak directly to landlords impacted by the reforms.”
Lead to better conditions for renters
Lord Harper from the Conservatives challenged Baroness Taylor directly over the Act asking: “Does she think the changes in the Renters’ Rights Act are going to lead to more houses being available to rent or fewer?”
Baroness Taylor swerved the question but claimed: “I think it will lead to better conditions for renters and it will remove some of the barriers that stop people from renting.
“We have banned rental bidding to level the playing field for renters and landlords will no longer be able to encourage prospective renters to stretch themselves beyond their means and can’t discriminate against tenants on benefits or with children.
“We think the work we’ve done with landlord and tenant groups means we have a fair system that rewards good landlords and tenants but makes sure that bad landlords are held to account for the bad practices they’ve had in place.”
You can watch a clip of the Lords debate below
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Member Since January 2015 - Comments: 1438 - Articles: 1
10:10 AM, 12th February 2026, About 2 months ago
Suggest the annual figures starting in 2018, when the Renters Reform Bill rose it’s head to date, are included.
That’s when I and many others started getting out of the PRS.
The Renters Rights Bill saw more joining the exodus and this hasn’t slowed by published figures on enactment it would seem.
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 754
10:35 AM, 12th February 2026, About 2 months ago
“… the act will lead to better conditions for renters and is fair for good landlords and tenants.”
I am a good LL and I have good tenants. I provide good quality accommodation.
Will I be pushed around by Govt as to who I should let to, risk pets (been there – never again), risk disproportionate fines for minor (accidental) paperwork infractions, have sleepless nights and lose ££££s if tenants don’t pay etc and I need possession? No
I could go on, but you get the picture.
Will I continue as a LL under the new ‘fair’ act? NO
Can there be there any debate when the Govt isn’t listening?
Member Since October 2019 - Comments: 394
10:44 AM, 12th February 2026, About 2 months ago
Doe’s the government have any plans to improve the living conditions of shop doorways for ex tenants??? Errr’
Member Since September 2015 - Comments: 1013
10:56 AM, 12th February 2026, About 2 months ago
As ever the Government has its fingers in their ears and humming “la la la……”
Shouting about how tenants will have better homes misses the point when there will be no homes to rent!
It misses the point that tenants will be stuck properties because they can’t move because there’s no available properties to move into!
It misses the point that Labour mobility will be affected!
It misses the point that growing families will be evicted and become homeless due deemed overcrowding with no bigger properties to move into!
Member Since May 2025 - Comments: 74
4:40 AM, 13th February 2026, About 2 months ago
If you are in an abusive relationship you leave so ow surprise landlords are exiting the market.
As the government is the abuser they are blind to what they are doing wrong.
Time to sell.
Member Since February 2026 - Comments: 1
1:47 PM, 13th February 2026, About 2 months ago
Well Baroness you are correct there won’t be any barriers as there won’t be any properties. Good landlord and selling up before the 1st of May….I would say you’ve made you bed now lie in it it’s more than tenants will have!
Member Since May 2024 - Comments: 110
3:39 PM, 13th February 2026, About 2 months ago
I have good tenants and don’t want to “kick them out” as activists describe ending a contract. When these people move away naturally however, the properties will be sold and the cash invested elsewhere. Most landlords don’t have to be landlords.
Member Since January 2015 - Comments: 1438 - Articles: 1
3:12 PM, 14th February 2026, About 2 months ago
Reply to the comment left by LaLo at 12/02/2026 – 10:44
Porta Loos perhaps?
Member Since January 2015 - Comments: 1438 - Articles: 1
3:14 PM, 14th February 2026, About 2 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Gromit at 12/02/2026 – 10:56
Tent cities here we come as predicted within 10 years in 2018 – OK maybe maybe add 5 as EPC C minima has been put back