Alto has rolled out a suite of system updates aimed at helping agents navigate the incoming Renters’ Rights Act as the first phase of reforms comes into force on 1 May.
The changes, which follow Royal Assent in October 2025, mark one of the most significant overhauls of the private rented sector in decades, introducing periodic tenancies, the abolition of Section 21 evictions and tighter controls on rent setting and compliance.
Alto says its latest product release focuses on embedding these requirements directly into day-to-day agency workflows, rather than relying on agents to manually interpret and apply the legislation.
Key functionality includes the ability to convert existing tenancy records into compliant formats at scale, while ensuring all new tenancies are created in line with updated rules from the outset. The system also prevents non-compliant setups, including restricting rental bidding above advertised prices.
COMPLIANCE CONTROLS
The platform introduces built-in compliance controls and audit trails, automatically tracking key milestones such as rent reviews, inspections and safety requirements, while recording all actions to create a defensible record for agents.
Additional safeguards prompt agents to justify restrictions such as pets or children, while ensuring agreements remain aligned with current legal requirements. Legal documentation is also updated dynamically, reducing reliance on manual templates.
The update reflects a broader shift in the role of agency software, from a system of record to a core compliance infrastructure as regulation intensifies across the sector.
OPERATIONAL IMPACT
Owen Rogers, Product Director at Alto, says: “The Renters’ Rights Act fundamentally changes how lettings works. It’s not just about new rules, it’s about how those rules play out across hundreds or thousands of tenancies in real life. If that’s handled manually, the risk increases quickly.
“Our job is to take that complexity away. Agents shouldn’t have to interpret legislation every time they create a tenancy or agree a rent. The system should do that for them.”
He adds: “We made a conscious decision not to rush ‘RRA-ready’ features based on draft guidance. We’ve built this around how lettings will actually operate from May onwards, not how it looked on paper six months ago.
“What we’re hearing from agents is that the challenge isn’t understanding the changes, it’s the operational impact. More admin, more edge cases, more risk if things go wrong.
“If your system doesn’t absorb that, your team has to. And that’s where problems start.”
