0:01 AM, 4th April 2025, About 2 months ago 3
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Only a small number of tenants believe the Renters’ Rights Bill will improve their rights and some haven’t even heard of it, claims a new report.
According to a survey by estate agent group LRG, only 22% of tenants believe the Bill will improve their rights, and more than 37% said they were unfamiliar with the contents of the Bill or had never heard of it.
More than 62% of tenants say they don’t know whether the government’s Renters’ Rights Bill will address their concerns.
Elsewhere in the report, 88% of landlords are aware of the Renters’ Rights Bill, but many are worried that the abolition of Section 21 will strain the court system.
According to Propertymark, 88% of letting agents and landlords believe the court system will not cope with the expected rise in possession hearings unless it is properly reformed.
One landlord told the LRG survey: “The biggest risk is the legal process slowing everything down. If that happens, landlords will exit the sector and rents will rise.”
The Labour government have pledged to digitise the court process, however the LRG survey reveals 79% of landlords are uncertain that a digitised court process will deliver improvements.
Many landlords are also concerned about the Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman.
Under the Renters’ Rights Bill, the Ombudsman claims it will provide quick, fair, impartial and binding resolution for tenants’ complaints about their landlord.
If landlords fail to sign up to the Ombudsman they could face a £7,000 civil penalty for not signing up to the Ombudsman.
Repeat breaches of not joining the Ombudsman could see landlords being hit with a criminal prosecution and a fine of £40,000.
One landlord told the LRG survey that the Ombudsman needs to provide clarity on how it works: “We are already ahead of the curve in terms of compliance and legal awareness – what we need now is clarity on how the ombudsman would actually function.”
The survey also reveals that only 16% of tenants felt an ombudsman would make a meaningful difference.
The survey also reveals that more than half of tenants (50%) would prefer better communication and response times over additional regulation in the private rented sector.
Contrary to the media narrative, the survey reveals that 69% of tenants say their landlord is proactive and transparent about legal responsibilities, with 75% reporting that maintenance issues are addressed within a week
Allison Thompson, national lettings managing director at LRG, said: “This latest report shows just how engaged landlords are when it comes to understanding their responsibilities – but it also highlights a clear need for more clarity from government. There is an appetite for reform, but the sector is asking fair and essential questions about how these changes will work in practice.
“Tenants, meanwhile, are telling us they value better communication and responsiveness above all else. It’s those everyday interactions – how quickly a repair is handled or how clearly an issue is explained – that shape trust and satisfaction. As the reforms take shape, that human element will remain just as important as any legislative change.”
Cider Drinker
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Sign Up10:33 AM, 4th April 2025, About 2 months ago
The vast majority of Section 21 Notices are issued when landlords decide to sell up or when landlords need to move back into their former home. The population crisis coupled with a worsening cost of living/jobs crisis will see increasing numbers of elderly landlords seeking possession to house family members that cannot afford to buy a place of their own.
Moans about Section 21 will be replaced with moans about Section 8.
The Renters Rights Bill is misnamed.
Forcing the tenant to give two months notice means they won’t be able to move. No landlord is going to want a new tenant that can’t move for two months. Why would a landlord want to have an expensive two month void?
Desert Rat
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Sign Up18:09 PM, 4th April 2025, About 2 months ago
The court system has been overload for years, the loss of S21 will totally collapse it and I'm sure tht the government already know and want this to happen. They don't want a PRS.
Re the Ombudsman service... Wow, look! another £7- £40k tax on landlords.
Both the conservatives and Liebour are out to kill off the PRS.
I totally hate everything about Farage, but with the way things are going I just may have to vote for him in the next election. He is starting to be seen as the better of 3 evils.
God help all of us if this is the best option.
I'm really thinking that permanently leaving the UK and retiring overseas and pulling all of our money out of the UK is our best option.
Unless your net worth is Billions and not meer millions, the UK government won't help you. They want you out so the big boys can take over
Noel Greene
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Sign Up9:11 AM, 5th April 2025, About 2 months ago
I have definitely tightened up my admissions procedure. Had 2 flats this week and have turned down people I would of taken a chance on a year ago. This is a disaster for vulnerable people