The Renters’ Rights Act is driven by essential reform, but its full implementation risks prejudicing many landlords who provide stability, investment and stewardship in the housing market. Tenants deserve stronger protection and flexibility, yet the Act fails to distinguish between responsible, long-term owners and those who neglect their obligations. In doing so, it risks eroding the balance in housing supply.
Many landlords see themselves as custodians of homes and communities. They maintain their buildings to uphold value and provide secure tenancies that allow families to put down roots. That trust creates the steady rental stream on which landlords rely.
The private rented sector has become an increasingly tough environment for landlords. They now face greater regulation and tougher sanctions for non-compliance. While the government argues that strengthened repossession grounds will protect investment, many responsible landlords will disagree. Restrictions on rent increases, the inability to request more than one month’s rent in advance, and the risk of tenants leaving after only two months make being a landlord more financially precarious than ever. It will accelerate the departure of responsible landlords, reducing supply and pushing rents even higher.
The legislation also risks widening the divide between private owners and institutional investors. Large corporate landlords can absorb compliance costs and manage volatile income; smaller, responsible landlords cannot. That imbalance threatens the character and supply of the UK rental market, particularly in cities such as London.
Reform should encourage stewardship, not stifle it. Responsible landlords are vital to safe, sustainable housing, and any legislation that drives them out of the market ultimately harms the very tenants it aims to protect.
