Less than a third of tenants living in managed properties believe their property manager is fully compliant with the Renters’ Rights Act (RRA), latest esearch from property management specialist Rushbrook & Rathbone reveals.
The survey of 1,105 UK tenants found widespread uncertainty around how property managers have responded to the legislation, despite managing agents having until 31 May to issue mandatory documentation and implement key changes.
The findings suggest communication remains a significant challenge for the sector. Half of tenants said they had received no communication from their property manager explaining the impact of the RRA, while only 29% felt the changes had been thoroughly communicated.
As a result, just 32% of tenants believe their property manager is fully compliant with the new legislation. A further 42% believe there are gaps in compliance, while 26% said they were unsure.
STANDARDS AND MAINTENANCE
The research also points to concerns around property standards and maintenance. Only 40% of tenants believe their home meets the new RRA requirements relating to issues such as damp, mould and safety hazards. Just 41% said their property manager had historically addressed maintenance issues without delay.
Since the legislation came into force on 1 May, 91% of tenants said they had seen no noticeable change in the way their property was managed. Only 19% reported proactive action being taken to address issues such as damp, mould or safety concerns.
The survey also found that 59% of tenants believe their tenancy agreement has not been updated to reflect the legislative changes, despite the deadline for providing updated information having now passed.
NEW REQUIREMENTS
Roma Sharma (main picture, inset), Managing Director of Rushbrook & Rathbone, says: “With the implementation period now behind us, tenants should have confidence that their property manager has taken the necessary steps to comply with the new legislation and communicate any relevant changes.
“However, our findings suggest that many tenants remain uncertain about what has changed, what protections are now in place, and whether their property manager has fully adapted to the new requirements.”
MOMENT OF ACCOUNTABILITY
She adds: “At the same time, the absence of visible action – particularly when it comes to issues like damp, mould and general safety – points to a wider problem within parts of the industry, where compliance risks becoming a box-ticking exercise rather than a genuine commitment to raising standards.
“For property managers, this is a clear moment of accountability. Those who fail to communicate transparently and act decisively risk falling short of both their legal obligations and tenant expectations.
“By contrast, there is a real opportunity for responsible operators to set themselves apart by being proactive, responsive, and fully aligned with both the letter and the spirit of the new law.”
