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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Landlord warns government legislation will leave tenants homeless
8 months ago | 8 comments
Nearly 40% of landlords are unprepared for Renters’ Rights Bill impact
9 months ago | 9 comments
Member Since May 2015 - Comments: 2188 - Articles: 2
5:36 PM, 4th August 2025, About 8 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Beaver at 04/08/2025 – 17:02
Will become un-housable? I have tightened my rigorous vetting so that these tenants are effectively already un-housable. I do not want any tenants who are likely to give trouble after the notorious bill becomes an act.
Member Since May 2018 - Comments: 1999
5:44 PM, 4th August 2025, About 8 months ago
Reply to the comment left by TheMaluka at 04/08/2025 – 17:36
And so has my agent. What my agent now advises is very different to the advice I used to get even 7 years ago.
I think agents will do very well out of the RRB.
Tenants won’t.
Member Since May 2018 - Comments: 1999
5:51 PM, 4th August 2025, About 8 months ago
Reply to the comment left by NewYorkie at 04/08/2025 – 17:20
Absolutely. That’s what I will be doing. Although it will be my agent doing it, whilst I get the property ready for rent, on the basis of the following advice to my agent:
– show tenants from your waiting list around if you wish but don’t tell them what the rent is likely to be in any form of writing, anywhere
– tell me what the maximum possible rent is on the basis of the tenants that you’ve got
– tell me what the maximum possible rent is for similar houses in the locality, or where the tenants on your list originate from
– I am giving the same information to the other agents that I am considering using: So be clear what the maximum rent that you can achieve is
The reason I will be doing this is that the last time I let a property I used more than one agent. 7 years ago I didn’t do this kind of thing and my agent(s) didn’t advise it. Their advice has changed because of government intervention in the market.
There are also some tenants that I might previously have considered but who I won’t even think of housing if the RRB goes ahead in its present form.
The RRB will push up rents. Agents will do very well out of it. Tenants won’t.
Member Since February 2023 - Comments: 22
11:03 AM, 5th August 2025, About 8 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Reluctant Landlord at 04/08/2025 – 07:36
Must be a letting agent who wants to earn more.
Member Since May 2024 - Comments: 108
12:34 PM, 5th August 2025, About 8 months ago
The silver lining is that landlords who are lucky or well insured for the next few years will see a tenant base with some of them tagged with CCJ’s. The unintended consequence of ditching S21 ‘no reason given’ evictions will be S8 ‘really good reason given’ evictions.
There obviously will be very few of the governments promised houses built and the BTR sector will be very expensive.
Member Since May 2018 - Comments: 1999
12:40 PM, 5th August 2025, About 8 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Stech Te at 05/08/2025 – 11:03
They all want to earn more and the Renters Reform Bill is going to give them the opportunity to do it…at the expense of tenants.
Member Since May 2015 - Comments: 2188 - Articles: 2
1:11 PM, 5th August 2025, About 8 months ago
“. . . tenant base with some of them tagged with CCJ’s”
This is why I ALWAYS make a moneyclaim, even if only for the minimum court fee (£35).
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3508 - Articles: 5
1:58 PM, 5th August 2025, About 8 months ago
Reply to the comment left by TheMaluka at 05/08/2025 – 13:11
so for example (my latest situation)…I assume you mean via a money claim MCOL?
Make a claim for costs associated with the possession notice (possession notice stated £483.50 were court costs for the S21 accelerated). I pay £50.
First I have to pay to find his new address. IF tenant pays great, if not then what? At what point does the non payment move to being a CCJ being on his record?
What of the remaining cost of the damages and rent arrears coming in at circa £5k? (not claimed as part of the S21 just so I could get him out as quick as possible)
Do I do this all again separate to the initial first claim?
Can you even get an attachment for ‘earnings’ if they are on benefits??
Member Since May 2015 - Comments: 2188 - Articles: 2
2:40 PM, 5th August 2025, About 8 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Reluctant Landlord at 05/08/2025 – 13:58
You will never get a tenant to pay, that is not the aim. The aim is to protect future landlords, as I hope they will also protect you, by giving the tenant a blemish which will prevent him being housed in the private sector. If your tenant owes £5k then take him to court for just £300 at a cost of £35 in court fees and half an hour of your time. The civil procedure rules allow you to use his last known address, i.e. your property – it is up to the tenant to have arranged mail forwarding. After about three weeks, apply for a default judgement. Your tenant then has a CCJ which will haunt him for six years. After five and three-quarter years, repeat the process so that the haunting goes on for a further six years.
Member Since November 2022 - Comments: 120
2:52 PM, 5th August 2025, About 8 months ago
Reply to the comment left by TheMaluka at 05/08/2025 – 14:40
Except that you can’t sue twice for the same debt. Abuse of process.