Technology providers are updating property management software to help letting agents comply with the Renters’ Rights Act, which introduces changes to tenancy structures, rent reviews and tenant engagement across the private rented sector.
MRI Software has announced enhancements to its Sales & Lettings, MRI Living, and Qube PM platforms designed to support compliance with the new legislation. The updates focus on automating processes that would otherwise require manual administration across large property portfolios.
Bulk conversion to periodic tenancies
The legislation requires a shift to periodic tenancies, replacing fixed-term agreements. MRI has introduced functionality enabling agencies to convert existing tenancies to the periodic model in bulk, rather than updating records individually. New tenancies created within the system are automatically configured as periodic.
Dan Foryszewski, Managing Director for MRI Living at MRI Software, said: “The Renters’ Rights Act represents a significant shift for the sector. Our focus has been on ensuring that agents can adapt to these changes without adding unnecessary administrative complexity.”
Rent review management
The Act introduces stricter rules around rent increases and Section 13 notices. MRI’s platform now includes a centralised dashboard for managing rent reviews, allowing agents to benchmark proposed increases against comparable data and track the process from notice through to completion. The system automatically updates rent charges and schedules increases according to required notice periods.
The changes come as the UK landlord exit rate slows ahead of new rental legislation, with industry observers monitoring how compliance requirements will affect portfolio management.
Digital tenant requests and pet applications
New workflows enable tenants to submit requests digitally via MRI’s tenant engagement portal, Engage. Property managers can review, approve and track requests through a dashboard, including confirming requirements such as pet insurance for animal applications.
The platform updates also introduce tools for logging, categorising and tracking complaints with time-stamped records, creating audit trails while helping teams monitor response times.
Similar technology integrations have been emerging across the sector, with recent developments including PropertyBox and Reapit launching integration for agents to streamline operational processes.
Implementation timeline
As the Renters’ Rights Act approaches implementation, letting agents are assessing whether their operational systems can support the new regulatory framework. The legislation places greater emphasis on tenant protections and transparent processes, requiring agencies to demonstrate compliance through documented procedures and clear audit trails.
Technology providers are positioning software updates as a way to embed compliance requirements into daily workflows, reducing manual administrative tasks while maintaining visibility across property portfolios. The updates are being rolled out ahead of the Act’s enforcement date, allowing agencies time to transition existing tenancies and train staff on new procedures.
