Renters’ Rights Bill returns for more Lords scrutiny in April
1 year ago | 5 comments
Tenant awareness of Renters’ Rights Bill remains low
12:01 AM, 25th March 2025, 1 year ago
11
Despite the media coverage and calls from tenant activist groups, research reveals that 43% of tenants admit to being ‘slightly aware’ or completely in the dark about the Renters’ Rights Bill.
And 5% of renters say they haven’t heard of it.
The findings from Pegasus Insight reveal that just 32% of renters are ‘fully aware’ or ‘mostly aware’ of what the legislation entails.
Another 20% grasp the gist but lack clarity on specifics.
Need to educate tenants
The founder and director of Pegasus Insight, Mark Long, said: “Our latest Tenant Trends research report suggests more needs to be done to educate renters about the new legislation set to be implemented by this Autumn, as a significant proportion of tenants know little to nothing about the imminent changes to their rights.
“In terms of the impact the Bill is likely to have on the market, the 27% of tenants who believe that rents will increase as a result look likely to have their fears borne out.
“In fact, responding to our Landlord Survey Q4 2024, 62% of landlords said they will look to recoup potential losses incurred as a result of the new legislation by putting rents up.”
He added: “While the government is holding fast to its claim that the RRB will not force landlords out of the private rented sector, the fact that more than half (56%) of those who have given their tenants notice to quit plan to sell the property, up from 37% a year ago, is surely significant.
“Again, tenant concerns that the Bill will lead to a reduced supply of properties appear well-founded.”
Tenant understanding and expectations
The survey reveals a broad spectrum of tenant understanding and expectations surrounding the Bill which could in place this summer.
The Tenant Trends report also asks tenants what their views are on how the Bill will affect their renting experience.
Optimism shines through for 13%, who see a major uplift, and 31% who anticipate a modest boost.
However, 19% expect no difference, 6% predict a downturn and 31% remain undecided.
Hopes hinge on enhanced living conditions, stronger tenancy stability with the end of no-fault evictions and curbs on escalating rents.
Anxieties also linger over shrinking property availability and climbing costs, with 27% bracing for a rent rise due to the Bill.
Most tenants to stay
The survey also highlights tenant plans post-tenancy with two-thirds saying that they aim to stay put, valuing continuity.
Around a third are expecting a shift, 32% will move to a new area and 26% want a larger or smaller home.
Apparently, 24% of tenants aspire to homeownership.
Meanwhile, 10% face upheaval as landlords terminate tenancies — 56% of these cases stem from property sales, which is up from 37% last year.
Another 22% are predicting rent rises, up from 12% and 16% say their landlord will reclaim their home.
Tags:
landlord property sales, no-fault evictions ban, Private Rented Sector, rent increases, renters rights bill, Tenant rights, Tenant Trends report 2025, UK tenant awareness
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Member Since December 2023 - Comments: 1581
8:28 AM, 25th March 2025, About 1 year ago
Some tenants like the name of the Bill. To them, it sounds promising.
Sometimes, we need to read between the lines.
The Bill is more about revenue collection than is it about renters’ rights.
The poorest tenants will suffer as landlords choose to sell up rather than risk life changing fines for things that are often outside of their control.
Member Since October 2013 - Comments: 1640 - Articles: 3
10:03 AM, 25th March 2025, About 1 year ago
Renters want somewhere to live at an affordable rent. But as homeowners know, everything has gone up in price, so why should renters be insulated from these increased costs at landlords’ expense?
Member Since June 2019 - Comments: 778
10:36 AM, 25th March 2025, About 1 year ago
It’s the constant message to tenants that they deserve high quality accommodation at low cost that needs to change.
High quality always costs, so driving up quality will have to lead to higher rents.
Member Since October 2020 - Comments: 1168
10:59 AM, 25th March 2025, About 1 year ago
I suspect that landlord awareness is even lower!
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3515 - Articles: 5
11:03 AM, 25th March 2025, About 1 year ago
well I guess they wait have to wait until us landlords educate them then or they see and feel the results…not long now.
I have already explained this in the latest rent increases, telling tenants that new legislation will mean further costs.
I have explained that it will mean the duplication of paperwork and more time for me form filling so basic admin will increase.
I have explained that Selective Licencing may also be applied by the local council in addition to the RRB simply because the property is being used for private rental and not a social renal purposes or lived in by the home owner (where the additional tax would not apply)
I have explained on a basic level, the EPC ‘plans’, so that if I am forced to spend £XXXX pounds to carry on legally letting the exact same property to them, then guess what, the rent will go up.
I have explained the government want to ensure they live in as perfect a property as possible – so the rub is they will personally have to pay extra for that perfect property.
I have made it very clear that the government is acting in THEIR interests apparently, so if they do not agree with this, then THEY shall have to make representations to their MP… who guess what – voted in agreement for all of this.
Meanwhile I continue to look hard at current tenants and determine now if S21 is the best route to remove them before the RRB hits.
I am now looking at applicants on benefits in a different light – far harsher referencing and tighter risk management. Today I shall be refusing someone on PIP – purely because the probability is their ‘income’ will be stripped/reduced within the next year or so and so does the viability of their being able to afford the rent. No guarantor…no offer will be made.
Member Since December 2023 - Comments: 1581
1:54 PM, 25th March 2025, About 1 year ago
I offered my tenants a new AST along with a small rise in the rent.
I took the opportunity to advise them not to worry as I don’t see anything changing for them except…
1) I won’t be able to offer them a fixed term. Something they’ve appreciated in the past.
2) Section 21 will be abolished but new grounds are being introduced that negate the effect.
3) Additional costs for me will mean higher rent for them (they understand how suppliers need to recover costs of running a business).
I assured them that I don’t want to evict them despite me not wanting to take on any new tenants.
I didn’t tell them that if the council introduce Selective Licensing, all bets are off. I’d sooner take my money and run.
Member Since October 2013 - Comments: 1640 - Articles: 3
2:28 PM, 25th March 2025, About 1 year ago
Reply to the comment left by Cider Drinker at 25/03/2025 – 13:54
I put my final tenant in the picture as to my costs, etc, and advised the rent would have to increase to the local market rent, or I would sell. I increased the rent (3rd year running) and am now at local market rent. She challenged it and I offered to sell at a discount. She turned it down and has now given notice.
I am now debating selling or re-letting, but TBH, I cannot make the numbers add up, and have had enough.
Member Since December 2023 - Comments: 1581
4:32 PM, 25th March 2025, About 1 year ago
Reply to the comment left by NewYorkie at 25/03/2025 – 14:28
I think it’s time to buy gold.
Member Since October 2013 - Comments: 1640 - Articles: 3
5:50 PM, 25th March 2025, About 1 year ago
Reply to the comment left by Cider Drinker at 25/03/2025 – 16:32
May have missed that boat. How about investing out of BTL and into BTR?
Member Since December 2023 - Comments: 1581
10:20 AM, 26th March 2025, About 1 year ago
Reply to the comment left by NewYorkie at 25/03/2025 – 17:50
I bought a few shares in Grainger PLC in November 2024. They’ve fallen by 11.5%.
Gold has risen by 15% over the same timeframe.
The risk of war will always lift gold prices. I expect gold to rise by around 25% this year.