Charity warns Renters’ Rights Bill won’t solve affordability crisis
8 months ago | 2 comments
Study apparently shows Renters’ Rights Bill won’t ‘harm the rental market’?
12:01 AM, 4th August 2025, 8 months ago
43
A study into the potential impact of the Renters’ Rights Bill suggests England’s letting agents can adapt and even thrive under the new rules.
The analysis from property software firm, SME Professional, which looked at what happened to Scotland’s PRS after the Private Housing (Tenancies) Act became law in 2016.
It also abolished no-fault evictions, ended fixed-term tenancies and introduced stricter landlord regulations.
The report says that far from harming the industry, the changes boosted letting agents’ businesses.
Changes could boost demand
The firm’s managing director, Fraser Sutherland, said: “The Scottish experience demonstrates that robust tenant protections need not harm the rental market or agency businesses.
“Our customers in England can be reassured that the upcoming reforms may not reduce business opportunities.”
He added: “While regional variations across the UK will no doubt exist – between different regions or between types of landlords – on the whole, Scotland’s experience suggests these changes could actually boost demand for professional services and foster a more stable, well-regulated rental market.”
The chief executive of the Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL), John Blackwood, said: “The growing legislative burden on agents in Scotland has not led to a reduction in managed properties.
“On the contrary, agencies have seen a slight increase in their overall portfolios.
“This trend indicates that, as regulatory requirements have become more complex, many landlords have opted for professional management services and have thereby strengthened agency business.”
PRS expanded after new law
The report says there was a surge in demand from Scottish landlords for professional management services, with more than 60% of landlords raising rents in 2024, up from just 8% previously.
This has driven revenue growth for agents, alongside longer tenancies and a more stable market, the firm says.
Mr Sutherland said: “Fears that tighter regulation would lead to market contraction have not materialised.
“The private rented sector in Scotland expanded significantly following tenants’ rights reforms, with tenancy lengths increasing and landlord satisfaction remaining high.
“Far from triggering an exodus, the new rules have led to greater professionalism and tenant stability.”
The Renters’ Rights Bill is expected to gain Royal Assent in September.
Tags:
landlord services, letting agents England, renters rights bill, Scottish rental market, SME Professional, Tenant Protections, UK property legislation
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8 months ago | 8 comments
Nearly 40% of landlords are unprepared for Renters’ Rights Bill impact
9 months ago | 9 comments
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3508 - Articles: 5
7:36 AM, 4th August 2025, About 8 months ago
hahahahahah – who is this joker?
Member Since December 2023 - Comments: 1575
8:17 AM, 4th August 2025, About 8 months ago
It is possible that more landlords will seek the assistance of a letting agent. That’s good news for letting agents. It’s also true that more landlords will join the NRLA. That’s good news for the NRLA.
It’s also highly likely that many landlords will sell up. Good news for those selling up.
The RRB is bad news for tenants. Just wait and see.
Member Since May 2015 - Comments: 2188 - Articles: 2
11:36 AM, 4th August 2025, About 8 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Reluctant Landlord at 04/08/2025 – 07:36
In the letting scene, every day is April the first.
Member Since March 2015 - Comments: 120
11:42 AM, 4th August 2025, About 8 months ago
Unless I have missed something, it would be interesting to know who was approached to answer questions on this survey …..was it people waiting in a bus stop somewhere?
Member Since January 2024 - Comments: 341
11:44 AM, 4th August 2025, About 8 months ago
The maths is simple,
more regulation+a year to get rent increased via a tribunal+lack of control over your investment+need to meet EPC targets+risk of tenants not fulfilling their obligations and another year in court trying to get your property back
=more landlords selling.
Member Since November 2022 - Comments: 120
1:00 PM, 4th August 2025, About 8 months ago
And the stock will be bought up by commercial entities who can afford to spread risk of default/void over a large portfolio. But to cover that risk rents will inevitably have to increase.
Member Since October 2013 - Comments: 1630 - Articles: 3
1:28 PM, 4th August 2025, About 8 months ago
It’s all very well lettings agents saying it won’t harm them, but they don’t carry the responsibilities for bad tenants.
Member Since September 2022 - Comments: 192
1:38 PM, 4th August 2025, About 8 months ago
So Lettings Agents are seeing more Landlords sign up to professional services which cost 8/10/12% plus VAT.
So who pays for that ?
Well 60% of Landlords have increased Rents to cover the extra costs so I guess that would be the Tenants
Many Landlords heading for the exit door and selling up.
More Tents ⛺️ on the streets of UK towns and cities
Member Since May 2018 - Comments: 1999
5:02 PM, 4th August 2025, About 8 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Cider Drinker at 04/08/2025 – 08:17
I use an agent.
I think that it is true that the RRB, if it goes ahead in its present form, would be good for agents who have a list of tenants needing to be housed. In my case for example, if that proposal to ban landlords from taking higher than the offered PCM rent goes ahead, I will be telling the agent not to advertise the price for the letting in writing until they absolutely have to, and even then it will be at the maximum possible PCM rent.
Because the RRB will probably be good for agents it does not follow that it will be good for tenants.
If it does go ahead in its present form though, a growing proportion of tenants will become un-houseable.
Member Since October 2013 - Comments: 1630 - Articles: 3
5:20 PM, 4th August 2025, About 8 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Beaver at 04/08/2025 – 17:02
If you start high, you can always agree to reduce the rent for the successful tenant!