Published on 14 May 2026, the survey looks at renters’ satisfaction, tenancy security, eviction practices, barriers to renting, and complaints handling. It shows that many tenants report positive experiences, but there are still clear pressure points, especially for people receiving housing support, households with a long-term illness or disability, and renters who need to raise a complaint. The key test will be whether the Act raises standards, improves enforcement, supports effective redress, and ensures landlords and agents have the confidence to keep providing homes.

Letting agents in England should be aware of a new tiered fee framework for the Property Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal, introduced to support the new and amended rights created by the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. Fee reform may help create a more consistent tribunal framework, but it cannot be a substitute for the wider investment, reform and operational improvements needed across the justice system.

Propertymark welcomes the announcement of millions of pounds in additional financial support to help councils identify non-compliant landlords, improve housing standards, and ensure tenants are protected under the new legislative framework. It is vital that this funding is sustained and used strategically to build long-term capacity, not just for short-term fixes.

Whilst it is best practice for letting agents to review their Terms of Business ahead of the reforms kicking in, especially if they are making changes to the type of services they offer to clients, there is no requirement for these business-specific documents to be formally Renters’ Rights compliant.

When it comes to deposit disputes in the private rental sector, one thing matters above all else: evidence. Not opinion. Not memory. And certainly not assumptions. What matters is time stamped, detailed and impartial documentation that shows exactly what condition a property was in at the start and end of a tenancy. Propertymark Industry Supplier, Inventory Hive, explains why inventory reports matter so much, what makes them stand up to scrutiny, and what can cause them to fall apart in front of a deposit adjudicator.

The UK Government has published the final version of the document, which sets out key changes for tenants ahead of reforms coming into force on 1 May 2026. Letting agents and landlords now have a clear legal duty to provide this document to relevant tenants, with a strict 31 May 2026 deadline and financial penalties for non-compliance.

The Renters’ Rights Act directly addresses rental discrimination practices, and the UK and Scottish governments have worked closely to extend these protections to Scotland. The new rules make it illegal for landlords and letting agents to disadvantage prospective or existing tenants because they have children or receive benefits.

The evidence that underpins the policy has been criticised by the Regulatory Policy Committee as not fit for purpose, with concerns raised about whether it can genuinely drive improvements in housing quality across the private rented sector (PRS). As the UK Government considers extending and reforming the DHS, it is vital that policymakers recognise a simple truth: standards alone will not improve homes unless they are enforceable, understood and supported by a professional, regulated sector.

With two months to go until the first changes take effect, letting agents should now be focused on operational readiness. Continuing our support for members, our latest webinar in a long series addressed the issues most frequently raised by agents. These included written information requirements, payment processes, rent increases, possession grounds and internal systems. With early planning, clear documentation and robust processes, agents can approach 1 May 2026 with confidence.

Our response to the London Assembly Housing Committee’s call for evidence highlights that the success of rental reform in London will depend not only on legislative change, but on whether court capacity, enforcement structures, and market realities are aligned to support it, a position that was echoed by a panel of industry experts in a live evidence session in City Hall on 9 February 2026.