A survey by an industry supplier shows that while most landlords know the reforms are coming, few have taken concrete steps.
Just 20% say they fully understand how the Act will affect their business.
As the Renters’ Rights Act edges closer—its first provisions taking effect on May 1—most landlords remain unprepared.
A survey by an industry supplier found widespread awareness of the reforms but little sign of practical planning.
Only 20% of landlords felt highly confident about the impact the Act will have on their business.
The survey highlights a sector still dominated by small landlords: 63% own one property and 30% own two to four.
Management is split almost down the middle, with 48% self-managing and 52% using agents.
Yet understanding of the Renters’ Rights Act is far from universal some 28% admit they are unaware of the reforms or unclear about what they mean.
Even though 84% know fixed-term tenancies will be replaced by open-ended periodic ones, nearly seven in ten have no plans to prepare.
Only 11% have taken any action, and progress on notice periods, break clauses and contract structures remains minimal with just 14% intend to act before May 2026.
Landlords remain divided in their concerns as 37% fear tougher possession routes, 15% expect less stable income and 12% predict higher tenant turnover.
More than a third (36%) say they have no concerns at all.
On practical preparation, 40% have updated or plan to update contracts to periodic tenancies. Smaller proportions have revised notice periods (24%), removed fixed terms (22%) or amended break clauses (13%).
Section 21’s abolition is widely recognised—92% are aware—but confidence is low. Just 12% feel prepared to rely on the new grounds for possession, while 43% say they are poorly or not at all prepared.
75% of landlords have made no preparations at all for the Renters’ Rights Act, with only a small minority having reviewed the legislation, updated documents or sought legal support.
Top concerns include the possibility of selling up (32%), uncertainty around rent-arrears thresholds (28%) and fears of court delays or enforcement problems (28%).
Rent-in-advance rules are particularly poorly understood with just over half of landlords (51%) know about the changes, and most—76%—have no plans to alter how much rent they request upfront.
Only 11% have already made changes, and 14% intend to.
The new rent-increase rules are already influencing decisions, with 45% of landlords adjusting their approach to comply with the annual increase limit.
Despite 92% awareness of the new rule preventing unreasonable refusals of pets, only a small minority of landlords have acted. Just 13% have updated their policies, 16% plan to, and 71% have made no changes.
Concerns remain focused on property damage, hygiene and allergy risks, noise or nuisance and insurance constraints. Only 14% say they have no concerns.
Practical steps are scarce as only 6% expect to increase inspection frequency, 5% have updated agreements to allow pets by default, 9% have introduced a formal request process and 4% have reviewed insurance.
In total 76% have not made any adjustments.