Renters’ Rights Bill returns to Lords for ‘ping-pong’ over amendments
7 months ago | 2 comments
Landlords ‘running scared’ of Renters’ Rights Bill
10:28 AM, 10th October 2025, 7 months ago
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A Propertymark member agent warns, “landlords are running scared of the Renters’ Rights Bill.”
Propertymark’s Housing Insight Report reveals member agents are worried about the bill as landlords look to leave the market.
The report also shows that, despite a drop in rent arrears and a steady return of available rental properties, this is still not enough to close the widening gap between supply and demand.
Landlords are running scared of the Renters’ Rights Bill and potential implications
A Propertymark agent in the South West warns tenants are worried about the supply of rental properties.
The agent told the report: “Tenants are also worried as the number of properties available is reducing due to the Renters’ Rights Bill, as the lack of longer-term tenancy periods is making them feel insecure.”
Another Propertymark agent in the Home Counties says the Renters’ Rights Bill and the upcoming Autumn Budget rumours of property tax changes are causing landlords to leave the market.
The agent said: “Landlords are running scared of the Renters’ Rights Bill and potential implications, and now the threat of National Insurance due on rental income is just the last straw for many.”
Another agent adds: “Landlords are looking at the changes and the uncertainty of the Renters’ Rights Bill, lack of detail, and landlords are looking at leaving the market.”
General lack of stock against a backdrop of increasing demand
According to Propertymark’s Housing Insight Report, rent arrears saw a welcome drop in August 2025 to an average of 2%, and more than of agents (56%) reported that rents remained generally static, with 10% reporting they had seen an overall fall, and 38% reporting they felt rents had increased.
However, demand still far exceeds supply, with member branches reporting just over eight applicants for every available property.
Nathan Emerson, chief executive of Propertymark, said: “In the rental market, the pace of rent growth is slowing, and arrears are starting to fall. In some areas, demand has softened, particularly where more rental stock is returning to the market, giving some tenants a bit more breathing room.
“However, the general lack of stock against a backdrop of increasing demand is still an ongoing concern, and without a boost, long-term sustainable rent levels will not be achievable.”
Buyers are becoming more cautious
In the residential sales market, the number of sales agreed drop with The average number of sales agreed per member branch saw a decline in August 2025 to an average of 7.2 and the average number of new prospective buyers registered per member branch fell to an average of 53.
Phil Spencer, founder of Move iQ, says buyers are becoming more cautious.
He said: “In the sales market, unlike the boom years, it’s no longer a seller’s playground. Rising living costs and tighter lending conditions mean buyers are being more cautious, and that’s starting to shift the balance.
“If you’re looking to buy, you might notice that properties are staying on the market longer and sellers are more open to discussion. Many are adjusting their expectations, especially if they’re under pressure to move. In some cases, it’s not just about the price; buyers are successfully negotiating extras like fixtures, flexible move-in dates, or repairs before completion.”
Tags:
Autumn Budget, national insurance on rental income, propertymark, Propertymark Housing Insight Report, renters rights bill
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Member Since June 2018 - Comments: 17
11:12 AM, 10th October 2025, About 7 months ago
There was a reason why the Rent Act of 1977 failed and had to be replaced.
Undersupply, unfair terms for landlords, over regulation of rents and Secure Tenancies, which even allowed for succession.
The Landlord and Tenant Act 1988 was a massive correction, and addressed all the issues of the failing PRS. With one exception, protected tenants remained protected.
There are still landlords stuck with tenants paying amounts which don’t even cover costs.
The Renters Rights Bill is turning us full circle. Many of us are now sitting on property, not knowing which way to go.
But with no profit to be made, it won’t be in the private rented sector.
Government and society have learned nothing, and renters will lose out as accommodation becomes more scarce.
The lower end of the market will suffer the most.
I can invest elsewhere, and achieve at least as good and better returns. But I know this business and have been happy to provide (what I’m told is good quality) accommodation, for below market rents.
I have good tenants and difficult ones. The difficult ones have good guarantors, who pull them back into line or help them out.
When the Guarantor option is restricted, those tenants won’t get a look in.
I’m semi retired now. Very tempted to give up early and start living my full retirement after selling up to first time buyers.
Member Since May 2014 - Comments: 620
11:47 AM, 10th October 2025, About 7 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Wolfey at 10/10/2025 – 11:12
You’ve summed this up very well.
The lower end of the market is suffering already.
It does not help when some of our representatives who are too young to remember what things were like for landlords prior to having section 21
are happy to accept its demise.
We are about to come full circle again.
My hunch is that Build To Rent will be exempt from a lot of these regulations.
Member Since August 2014 - Comments: 175
8:15 PM, 10th October 2025, About 7 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Stella at 10/10/2025 – 11:47
Agreed that it’s highly likely BTR will be exempt from a lot of these regulations because that is by design. The various corrupt UK governments over the years have clearly created a two tier rental sector in the UK.
One tier for Independent Landlords, heavily regulated and heavily taxed and with a lot of deliberately created risk from rogue tenants and the other tier for the Corporate Landlords, friends of the government and subject to less regulation and lower taxes and less risk/more protection from rogue tenants.
If you are not a Corporate Landlord then it’s time to sell up and reinvest somewhere else.
Member Since June 2019 - Comments: 782
7:49 PM, 12th October 2025, About 6 months ago
It seems the Blair’s are getting out before the budget and RRB – I wonder if they have any inside information?
Member Since August 2014 - Comments: 175
3:05 PM, 13th October 2025, About 6 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Paul Essex at 12/10/2025 – 19:49
Knowing what we know about Teflon Tony, who has friends in high places, he most likely does have inside information and is acting accordingly.
Possibly he’s selling up in the UK because he knows the impending disaster of the RRB but also has wind of a marvellous investment “opportunity” in a brand new beachfront development in the Middle East.
Apparently it’s a great deal because the land is cheap due to the former residents having “voluntarily” abandoned their homes and relocated to a tent encampment in a desert with no resources or sea view, can’t imagine why though?
Member Since March 2023 - Comments: 1506
3:31 PM, 13th October 2025, About 6 months ago
I’me not running scared, 13 sold 5 left.. and the 5 tenants I have left have been with me for many years. When they leave (or die) I will sell. A happy position to be in. If I were starting again would I invest in BTL – not a chance.