Most landlords are unprepared for May’s Renters’ Rights Act

Three-quarters of landlords have made no preparations for the abolition of Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, as the Renters’ Rights Act reforms approach in May, research reveals.

Inventory Base points to widespread gaps in readiness across the private rented sector though most landlords aware of the Act’s headline reforms.

However, lots of them are unclear about how the legal overhaul will affect their day-to-day operations.

From 1 May, no fault evictions under Section 21 will be scrapped, and fixed term tenancies will give way to open ended periodic agreements.

Also, rent rises will be limited to once every 12 months, restrictions will be placed on rent in advance, and landlords must reasonably consider tenant requests for pets.

No margin for error

The firm’s operations director, Sián Hemming-Metcalfe, said: “Most landlords know the Renters’ Rights Act is coming, but far fewer have grasped what it means in practice.

“This is not a cosmetic change; it rewrites how possession works, how rent is handled, how tenancies are structured, and what landlords will need to evidence if something goes wrong.

“The margin for error is shrinking fast and those who wait until Spring 2026 will find themselves dealing with delays, disputes and income risk that could have been avoided with basic preparation now.”

She added: “Agents and industry suppliers will be pivotal – not as messengers, but as the ones putting proper systems, documentation and defensible processes in place before the new rules bite.”

20% are confident

Despite the scale of change being introduced, just 20% of landlords say they feel highly confident in understanding how the legislation will affect them.

Almost a quarter admit they are not confident at all.

The data highlights that many landlords are not ready with updated tenancy processes, paperwork or possession strategies.

Small portfolio owners dominate the PRS, with 63% holding a single rental home and 30% owning between two and four.

Management is evenly split, with 48% overseeing properties themselves and 52% relying on agents.

RRA knowledge varies

Awareness of the RRA exists among small landlords, but their depth of knowledge varies.

More than a quarter (28%), say they are either unaware of the reforms or unclear on what they involve.

On tenancy structures, 84% know fixed terms will disappear, but 69% have no plans to alter agreements.

Only 11% have acted so far, while 14% intend to do so before the deadline.

Among the issues, 37% anticipate greater difficulty regaining possession and 15% fear reduced income certainty.

Also, 12% are expecting higher tenant turnover, while a third report having no worries about the new law.

Losing Section 21

Landlord preparation levels reflect that split with around 40% having already updated or intending to update contracts to periodic agreements.

Notice periods have been revised by 24% of landlords, fixed terms removed by 22%, and break clauses addressed by 13%.

The most widely recognised reform remains the end of Section 21, with 92% awareness.

However, only 12% feel prepared to rely on revised possession grounds, while 43% say they are poorly equipped or not ready at all.

Worryingly, 75% of landlords have made no preparations for the loss of Section 21.