Landlords are racing to understand the impact of the Renters’ Rights Act ahead of major reforms due to take effect in May with new data showing a sharp surge in online searches linked to the legislation.
Research from Dwelly analysing Google search trends found landlord interest in the reforms has jumped significantly over the past three months, as the next phase of the Act – including the abolition of Section 21 – moves closer.
Searches for the term “Renters’ Rights Act” have risen by 86.4% compared with the previous three-month period, while searches for “landlord ombudsman” have soared by 157.5%, suggesting growing concern about how the new rules will affect portfolios and compliance.
The Renters’ Rights Act received Royal Assent in October 2025, but key measures are being introduced in stages, with May 2026 set to bring some of the most far-reaching changes to the private rented sector in decades.
BIG IMPACT
These include the end of Section 21 no-fault evictions, the move to periodic tenancies, a ban on rental bidding, and new rights for tenants to keep pets.
Search activity shows landlords are focusing on the areas likely to have the biggest practical impact. Interest in “pet rentals” has climbed 111.8% in the past three months, while searches linked to Section 21 have increased by 13.1%.
Not all elements of the reforms are attracting the same level of attention. Searches relating to the Decent Homes Standard have fallen by 11.5%, and interest in fixed-term tenancies has slipped slightly, suggesting landlords are prioritising the changes most likely to affect day-to-day management.
PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS
Sam Humphreys (main picture, inset), Head of M&A at Dwelly, reckons that the spike shows many landlords are only now starting to prepare for the new regime.
He says: “The spike in search activity shows that landlords are actively trying to understand what the Renters’ Rights Act will mean for them and their portfolios and, with the most significant reforms arriving in May, it’s clear that many are now starting to prepare for the practical implications.
RULE CHANGES
He adds: “For letting agents, this creates both a responsibility and an opportunity. Landlords are looking for clear guidance on what the changes mean and how they should respond, whether that’s adapting tenancy structures, understanding the removal of Section 21, or preparing for the introduction of the landlord ombudsman and new pet rules.
“Providing that level of support takes time and resources, which is why operational efficiency has never been more important.
“The agents who have already streamlined their operations through the adoption of the right technology are far better positioned to go that extra mile for their landlords, ensuring they remain compliant while navigating one of the biggest legislative shifts the sector has seen in decades.”
