Awareness of the Tenants’ Rights Act is high – but understanding of what changes it will actually bring to practice is low in the rental sector.
New research from LRG shows that 44% of landlords and 64% of tenants say that despite widespread recognition of the reforms, they are not sure what the legislation will mean once it comes into force.
The findings, published in LRG’s latest Lettings Report and based on a survey of landlords and tenants in England and Wales, highlight a glaring gap between awareness and understanding. While the Act aims to reshape parts of the rental market and strengthen tenant protections, many respondents appear unsure about how the changes will be implemented day-to-day.
Only 5% of landlords describe themselves as “very confident” in their understanding of the reforms, with the majority falling into the “not very” or “somewhat” confident categories. Among renters, confidence is even lower: Only 9% say they are very confident, and only a quarter overall feel quite confident.
The results show that, although the law has been widely discussed, its practical implications are still not fully reaching those most affected. For tenants – whom the reforms are designed to benefit through greater protections and stronger rights – the level of uncertainty is particularly pronounced, raising questions about how effectively the changes have been communicated prior to implementation.
When asked about their biggest concerns about transition, landlords and tenants highlighted very different pressures.
Almost half of landlords (48%) say their main concern is losing control over outcomes, reflecting unease about how periodic tenancies could impact their ability to manage and plan their properties.
For tenants, affordability tops the list, cited by 50%, while 41% also say they are concerned about navigating and understanding new processes.
Despite being affected by the same set of reforms, the findings show that the two groups are interpreting the changes through very different lenses, each focusing on different risks as the legislation moves closer to implementation.
This act is already starting to influence tenant behaviour. About 24% say they now expect to stay in their current home longer as tenancies shift towards a periodic model, while 50% say the new rules will influence how they choose their next property. Among landlords, two-thirds say they want their agent to manage the necessary changes before moving to a periodic-only tenancy, underscoring where the responsibility for compliance is being placed.
All this is happening in the background of disrupted supplies. The English Housing Survey 2024 shows that 19% of homes in England are now privately rented, while almost two-thirds of landlords expect availability to tighten further over the next 12 months.
The Tenants’ Rights Act received Royal Assent in July 2025, with Phase 1 due to come into force in May 2026. With both landlords and tenants still working out the meaning of the improvements in practice, the level of preparedness on both sides could play a significant role in how smoothly the transition unfolds.
Allison Thompson, Chief Lettings Officer at Leaders, part of LRG, commented, “The Tenants Rights Act is the biggest change to the private rented sector in a generation, and this data shows that many people still need support to get ready to move in. Landlords have the right to rely on their agents, and we are well placed to help them every step of the way. But tenants also need support. Giving tenants greater protection The law is designed to only work if renters actually understand what it means for them. There’s still real work to do, and the clock is ticking.”