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UK: A survey from rental services provider Housing Hand has revealed that only 22 per cent of private renters say they understand how the Renters’ Rights Act impacts their rights.
The figure represents a drop from this time last year, when 25 per cent felt they understood. However, 20 per cent of those who do understand how the Act impacts their rights say they will choose to rent a different type of property due to the changes, and another 27 per cent may consider it.
The Renters’ Rights Act, which comes into force on 1st May, introduces fundamental changes that can impact tenants’ decisions. For example, tenants with children or pets who previously had limited options will now have a broader choice of where and what they rent as the Act bans discrimination against tenants with children while affording tenants the right to request a pet.
Student renters also have greater choice, as they will no longer be limited to fixed-term contracts linked to the academic year and can instead opt for periodic tenancies in the private rental sector, which they can end with two months’ notice. Students who still want a fixed term contract can opt to live in purpose-built student accommodation or university halls.
This heightened choice is something that landlords and accommodation providers need to bear in mind as the Act comes into force. So, too, is the fact that HMO landlords can no longer advertise their properties more than six months in advance. With Housing Hand’s research showing that 17 per cent of renters research properties more than six months in advance, and seven per cent secure their accommodation more than six months in advance, this is another element of the Renters’ Rights Act’s impact for which landlords must prepare.
These insights come from a brand-new survey of circa 1,700 current renters undertaken by Housing Hand in February 2026, in which respondents shared their opinions on a wide range of aspects of renting in the UK. Housing Hand has published the results in its Understanding Renters in 2026 report.
The survey emphasised the need for an increased push to grow awareness of the Renters’ Rights Act, as just 34 per cent of renters reported knowing what the Act is, while 37 per cent have heard of it but don’t know what it involves, and 29 per cent don’t know what it is.
Renters have thus far relied mainly on online resources for their knowledge of the Act, including housing, government and charity websites. Just three per cent said they had heard about it from their landlord as of February 2026. As landlords are required by law to share the Government’s Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet with their tenants by 31 May 2026, or face a fine of up to £7,000, this figure should have risen significantly by that time.
88 per cent of renters didn’t know the implementation date of the Renters’ Rights Act when asked (three months prior to 1 May 2026), and 42 per cent of renters report finding the UK rental market confusing right now.
Understanding of the Act is even lower among student renters, only 19 per cent of whom understand how it will impact their rights.
“Our second annual Understanding Renters report reveals significant gaps in knowledge in relation to the Renters’ Rights Act,” said Graham Hayward, Housing Hand managing director. “With implementation now upon us, accommodation providers will need to work closely with their tenants to support successful rental experiences in this new landscape. Housing Hand is working proactively with its accommodation providers, landlords and lettings agents, as well as with our guarantor clients, to ensure this is the case.”
Housing Hand is working with its clients who have used its Guarantor, Depositless, House Finder, and Only My Share services to address this confusion and lack of understanding. It is also working in partnership with landlords, universities, and purpose-built student accommodation operators, sharing a range of resources, from written materials to webinars, to grow awareness of the Act and understanding of its implications for the entire rental sector.
Highlights:
- Low awareness of UK Renters’ Rights Act 2026: Housing Hand reports only 22 per cent of renters understand the Act, with overall awareness still limited ahead of its 1 May 2026 implementation.
- Policy changes expanding tenant choice: The Renters’ Rights Act introduces greater flexibility, including rights for tenants with pets and children, and more options for periodic tenancies, especially for students.
- Potential shift in renter behaviour: Around 47 per cent of informed renters may change property choices, indicating the Act could reshape demand patterns across the private rental sector.
- New compliance pressures for landlords: Rules such as limits on early HMO advertising and mandatory tenant information sharing (with fines up to £7,000) require operational adjustments.
- Education gap across the rental market: With 88 per cent unaware of the implementation date and many finding the market confusing, there is a need for greater communication from landlords, agents, and institutions.
