The Renters’ Rights Act, which came into force recently, is already having a significant impact on tenants and landlords across the private rental sector. Citizens Advice reports that it is assisting hundreds of renters daily with issues ranging from eviction notices to property disrepair and rent increases, highlighting the Act’s role in addressing long-standing challenges within the sector.
Citizens Advice supports hundreds of tenants daily
In March 2026, Citizens Advice provided help to 2,335 individuals facing Section 21 eviction notices, 1,829 tenants experiencing disrepair problems such as damp and mould, and over 1,075 tenants dealing with rent increases. This support amounts to an average of 214 tenants assisted each day with these pressing issues.
The figures underline the scale of challenges tenants face and the vital role that advisory services play in navigating the new legal landscape introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act.
Addressing the historic power imbalance
Amy Hughes, advice manager at Citizens Advice, described the Act as a “huge moment for private renters.” She emphasised that the legislation aims to correct the historic power imbalance in the private rental sector by providing tenants with greater security in their homes.
Hughes noted the damaging effects of ‘no fault’ evictions, which previously allowed landlords to evict tenants without cause. Under the new rules, landlords can only evict tenants for specific reasons such as rent arrears, antisocial behaviour, or the need to sell the property.
She added, “For too long, tenants have faced the threat of eviction for simply speaking out against bad landlord behaviour or poor conditions. The new laws will see an end to these retaliatory practices and deliver a welcome boost to private renters’ rights.”
Private rented sector’s vital role amid changes
The introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act follows warnings from charities about a potential surge in evictions ahead of the legislation’s enforcement. Acorn, a tenants’ union, reported that Section 21 evictions accounted for one in five reports from members in October 2025, increasing to nearly one in three by January 2026.
Meanwhile, many landlords are reassessing their positions due to rising costs and regulatory changes. Megan Eighteen, president of Propertymark, highlighted to The Independent that higher mortgage rates, increased taxation, and ongoing regulatory shifts are prompting some landlords, particularly those with smaller portfolios or tighter margins, to reconsider their investments.
Despite these challenges, Eighteen stressed the importance of the private rented sector in meeting housing demand and the need to support responsible landlords to maintain market stability for tenants and the wider housing system.
What this means for landlords
The Renters’ Rights Act introduces stricter grounds for eviction, which means landlords must be more diligent in managing tenancies and addressing tenant concerns promptly. The end of ‘no fault’ evictions requires landlords to provide valid reasons for possession, potentially reducing abrupt tenancy terminations but also necessitating clear communication and documentation.
Landlords may face increased scrutiny regarding property conditions, as tenants are now better protected against retaliatory evictions linked to complaints about disrepair. This shift encourages landlords to maintain higher standards and engage constructively with tenants to avoid disputes.
Additionally, the evolving regulatory environment and financial pressures highlighted by Propertymark’s president suggest landlords should carefully evaluate their portfolios and business models to ensure long-term viability amid these changes.
Source: Based on reporting from Property118
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TLA update
The Landlord Association is currently onboarding new service providers into its Trusted Partner Hub, a new initiative designed to support landlords, tenants, letting agents, and property managers with vetted, high-quality services. As one of the fastest growing landlord associations in the UK, TLA offers partners direct access to an engaged and active member base at the point of need. Service providers across legal, maintenance, insurance, finance, mortgages, tenant screening, and property services can register their interest here: https://landlordassociation.org.uk/become-a-tla-service-partner/
Source: www.property118.com
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