The London Assembly Housing Committee has raised concerns over the low awareness of the forthcoming Renters’ Rights Act among London’s renters. With the Act set to come into force on 1 May 2026, the committee is urging the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, to intensify efforts to inform tenants about their new rights to ensure the reforms are effective.

Worrying lack of awareness among renters

Recent findings reveal that over 65% of renters in London have either never heard of the Renters’ Rights Act or do not understand its implications. Zoë Garbett AM, Chair of the London Assembly Housing Committee, emphasised the importance of awareness, stating, “The Renters’ Rights Act will introduce major changes to renting, but these reforms will only work if renters know about them and feel confident exercising their rights when faced with unlawful behaviour from non-compliant landlords.”

She further warned that without clear information and support, many tenants will fail to benefit from the protections the Act is designed to provide. “The Mayor has the reach to ensure Londoners understand these new rights before the law comes into force,” Garbett added.

Calls for enhanced communication strategies

In a formal letter to Mayor Khan, the committee highlighted evidence from Generation Rent indicating that two in five London renters would lack confidence in taking action against landlords over issues such as disrepair or illegal conduct. To address this, the committee is urging the Mayor to boost public communication efforts surrounding the Act.

They recommend a comprehensive campaign focusing on key measures within the legislation, including the abolition of Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions, the right for tenants to request permission to keep pets, and a ban on rental bidding wars. As the implementation date approaches, the committee stresses the need for stepped-up communication.

Suggested channels for this outreach include social media platforms and prominent advertising across the Transport for London network, such as posters in the London Underground. Coordination with local boroughs, renters’ organisations, and housing charities is also advised to maximise reach and impact.

Balancing messaging for landlords and tenants

The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has previously cautioned that communication about the Renters’ Rights Act should be balanced to fairly address both landlords and tenants. Ben Beadle, NRLA chief executive, commented, “Messaging needs to be done in an equal way. You may think the private rented sector is the wild west, and there are loads of bad landlords out there. However, the statistics don’t bear that out and the private rented sector has a far higher satisfaction rating than the social housing sector.”

He emphasised the importance of encouraging tenants to access their new rights while also engaging landlords constructively, recognising their vital role in providing quality housing.

What this means for landlords

For landlords, the Renters’ Rights Act will bring significant changes, including the removal of Section 21 eviction notices and new obligations around tenants’ rights to keep pets and protections against rental bidding. The call for enhanced public awareness campaigns means landlords should prepare for increased tenant knowledge and assertiveness regarding their rights.

Landlords and agents should stay informed about the Act’s provisions and consider how to adapt their practices to comply fully with the new legal framework. Clear, balanced communication with tenants will be essential to maintaining positive landlord-tenant relationships and avoiding disputes.

Source: Based on reporting from Property118

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