Renters’ Rights Act warning as agents urged to prepare now

With the first element of the Renters’ Rights Act already in force, a senior property sector figure is warning letting agents not to wait until May before acting.

That’s when most of the Act’s headline reforms are scheduled to begin, though councils are already rolling out expanded investigative and enforcement powers.

It’s the move to strengthen council powers that Agent Rainmaker’s Sally Lawson says changes the landscape immediately.

Ms Lawson said: “If letting agents haven’t got their ducks in a row for possibly the biggest challenge in a generation, now’s the time.

“It’s either that or fall behind and put at risk everything that’s been built.”

She argues that while the new regime will unsettle many landlords, it creates a clear opening for agents willing to lean into compliance and advisory work rather than viewing regulation as a threat.

Landlords will be worried

Ms Lawson continued: “This first change is a huge one – it’s all about compliance and new powers that councils have.

“Landlords will be worried, but agents will be their biggest help to come.

“And that’s why it’s a massive opportunity to get belt-and-braces, upskill and educate staff, and start offering them very specific services that remove some of their burden.”

She added: “Landlords need regulatory and compliance support like they never have before, so who better to offer that than letting agents?

“Agents who are arguably some of the most knowledgeable in this field?”

Letting agents can help

Within her Rainmaker training course community, Ms Lawson says some agencies have already moved well beyond the traditional let-only or fully managed models, offering as many as 53 chargeable services aimed squarely at compliance.

Those options range from court and legal process support to HMO licence applications and renewals, council inspections and Right to Rent checks.

These are all areas expected to come under closer scrutiny as enforcement activity ramps up.

Ms Lawson said: “As agency owners, it’s not all on you to do everything.

“You need to run a business that’s sustainable, profitable and able to handle challenges like this when they’re thrown our way.

“It’s time to level-up staff training and education, particularly around the new areas councils will have the power to uphold and empower them to lead.”

She also points to communication as a pressure point, suggesting many landlords will actively seek clearer guidance as the Act’s requirements multiply.

Areas of concern will include record keeping, evidence requests and identifying higher-risk clients before problems escalate.

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