Most tenants unaware of how RRA affects their rights

More than 78% of tenants don’t know how the Renters’ Rights Act will impact their rights.

According to a survey by Housing Hand, only one in five tenants understood their rights under the act.

Under the act, tenants will gain stronger protections, including the abolition of Section 21 and an end to bidding wars.

Confusion is rife in the rental sector

The survey by guarantor service Housing Hand reveals 29% of renters don’t know what the Renters’ Rights Act is, while 37% have heard of it but don’t know what it involves.

Nearly half of renters (42%) said they found the rental market confusing.

Graham Hayward, managing director of Housing Hand, explains: “Confusion is rife in the rental sector, with significant knowledge gaps among tenants as to precisely what the Renters’ Rights Act is and how it affects them.

“Such large-scale change is, of course, never entirely smooth sailing, but it seems there is still much to be done in terms of getting the message out there about how renting is changing.

“The next couple of years will be a very interesting time for the rental sector, as tenants’ choices reflect a growing appreciation for their new rights. Understanding of the Renters’ Rights Act may be limited currently, but as awareness grows, we will see the sector evolve in new ways and stand ready to support both our renter clients and accommodation providers and landlords through these changes.”

Considering longer-term impact

Among the 22% of renters who feel confident they understand the act’s implications for their rights, a figure that falls to 19% among student renters, many are already considering the longer-term impact of the changes on different types of tenancies.

One in five of those who understand the act say they will choose a different type of property as a result, while a further 27% are considering doing so.