Landlords say they aren’t ready for the Renters’ Rights Act

More than half of landlords admit they are not ready for the Renters’ Rights Act and expect letting agents to take the lead as the sector prepares for the legislation.

Research from Dwelly shows 57% of landlords feel unprepared for the new law, despite months of political debate and a deadline for the law’s implementation.

Many respondents said shifting timelines and mixed signals from ministers have made it difficult to plan.

Another 7% say they are not prepared at all, 15% believe they are very well prepared, with the remainder describing themselves as ‘somewhat prepared’.

Landlords not prepared

The firm’s Sam Humphreys said: “It’s understandable that many landlords don’t yet feel properly prepared.

“While this legislation has been on the radar for years, the constant back-and-forth has made it difficult for the industry to gain clarity, let alone individual landlords.

“What is clear is that landlords are increasingly looking to their letting agents for support, and those agents will be key to ensuring a smooth transition.”

He added: “This puts an emphasis on operational efficiency, as agents will need to go beyond the day-to-day to provide clarity, guidance and proactive communication.”

RRA is causing confusion

The firm’s findings suggest confusion persist despite the scale of the changes ahead.

Landlords said they feel least prepared for the end of Section 21, new pet rights and national landlord registration requirements.

Also, the shift to periodic contracts and tougher limits on notices and rent adjustments is a concern.

Dwelly reports that 42% of landlords expect their letting agent to manage compliance on their behalf.

Agents must communicate

However, communication from agents appears inconsistent with only 23% of landlords saying they have already received clear guidance.

A further 31% have had some initial updates, but 46% say they have had nothing at all so far.

Most landlords feel the phased rollout will help, with 71% saying a staged approach will make it easier to meet obligations.

Even so, 66% believe official guidance to date has been unclear, particularly on the timetable and what will be expected once the transition begins.

Property118 commercial reality check

Noise around the Renters’ Rights Act keeps shifting. Serious landlords will not wait for perfect guidance.

They use imperfect information to build operational advantage while others pause. The landlords who treat compliance as a business discipline will move through this transition with confidence and stronger systems.

What serious landlords should do next

Document and audit readiness: Create a current schedule of tenancy types, notice periods, rent review dates and deposit statuses. A clean audit gives you control when new requirements activate.

Operational alignment with agents: Set expectations with your agent now. Request written workflows for periodic transitions, pet requests and Section 21 replacements so nothing drifts into ambiguity.

Number-based transition planning: Run scenarios for voids, rent adjustment restrictions and turnover rates under periodic tenancies. Commercial modelling replaces anxiety with clarity.

Structural planning: Review ownership and company structures to confirm they still align with the future regulatory environment and your long-term gearing profile.

Delegation and automation: Use digital systems for documentation, renewals and inspection chains. Efficient processes reduce friction when guidance evolves.