Awareness of the Renters’ Rights Act is steadily increasing in the private rental sector (PRS) as implementation approaches, according to research from Pegasus Insight.
The first phase of the legislation will come into effect from May 1, 2026.
The latest data shows that 75% of landlords are now aware of the upcoming legislation, an increase of 8% on the previous quarter.
Landlords with more than 20 properties are the most involved, with 88% describing themselves as ‘aware’ of the action, with 28% ‘fully aware’.
Limited company landlords are close behind, with 84% aware and 32% fully aware.
Research has also found that around three quarters expect the law to have a negative impact on their rental business and 84% on the PRS more broadly, with concerns mainly focused on the operation of possession processes and the ability of the courts to deal with cases efficiently.
Pegasus Insight founder and director Mark Long said: “The level of awareness we are now seeing means that the Renters’ Rights Act will no longer be a future consideration for most landlords, but will become part of the way they assess risk and plan ahead.”
“Many landlords recognize the intention behind the legislation, particularly in terms of improving security and consistency for tenants. However, confidence in how it will work in practice remains crucial. With cases already taking on average more than 50 weeks to be heard in the district courts, concerns about the effectiveness of possession processes are evident.”
“There is also a significant awareness gap that needs to be addressed. While three-quarters of landlords are now aware of the proposals, a significant minority remains less engaged, often smaller or long-standing landlords who may not be following the regulatory changes as closely as their larger counterparts.”
“That creates opportunities for real estate agents and other intermediaries to play a greater role in informing landlords, especially where financing discussions are a natural point of contact.”
“If uncertainty persists, it will likely impact how landlords approach future investments and portfolio strategies.”