Landlords wanted to test a new comparable properties pack

Now that the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 has largely come into force, landlords are having to grapple with the many changes it brings.

One important change is that tenants now have greater rights to challenge the rent set by their landlord. They can do this:

• during the first six months of a new tenancy, if they believe the initial rent is excessive; or
• after receiving a notice of rent increase on Form 4A, if they believe the proposed rent is above the open-market rent.

Landlords therefore need to take particular care when deciding what rent to charge. They should be able to explain how they arrived at the figure and produce evidence showing that it is supported by rents for comparable properties.

To help landlords do this, I am developing a new Landlord Law resource: The Landlord Law Market Rent and Tribunal Kit, which I hope to launch shortly.

But first, I need your help.

One of the principal resources in the kit will be the Comparable Properties Assessment Pack. This contains guidance and a series of forms landlords can use to:

• record detailed information about their own property;
• collect evidence about comparable properties;
• identify important differences between the properties;
• compare the available rental evidence; and
• reach and explain a reasoned assessment of the open-market rent.

The pack is currently in draft form. Before finalising it, I would like landlords, letting agents and other property professionals to test it and tell me whether anything is unclear, missing or difficult to use.

You can sign up to receive the draft pack here.

You will then be sent a link to download the pack and a link to a short SurveyMonkey feedback questionnaire.

As a thank you, everyone who submits feedback and provides their email address in the survey will be sent a free copy of the final version once it is ready.

Please sign up now and help me make the pack as useful as possible for landlords.

Thank you.

Tessa Shepperson, Landlord Law