Patricia Ogunfeibo, a landlord and former solicitor, shares her five top tips for small landlords navigating the forthcoming changes in the Renters’ Rights Bill.
1. Gather knowledge: stay ahead of compliance
The rental landscape is changing fast, and landlords who don’t keep up will most likely face fines, penalties, or even be barred from renting out properties. Being informed is your first line of defence.
What you should do:
- Subscribe to government updates, landlord associations, practical and legal blogs.
- Attend webinars, property networking events, and training sessions.
The more you know, the better you can adapt, plan, and protect your rental business.
2. Review each rental: ensure future-proofing
Private landlords will soon have to meet higher property standards. The new law will introduce the Decent Homes Standard as well as Awaab’s Law.
Questions to ask yourself:
- Does my property meet the Decent Homes Standard and is it mould-free? If not, what upgrades are needed?
- If implemented, will my rental meet the proposed minimum EPC ‘C’ rating by 2028? Can I afford any required improvements?
- Is my rental portfolio still financially viable under these changes? If not, should I sell, restructure, or reinvest?
Now is the time to plan and ensure you do not sleep-walk into the new era.
3. Review each tenant: build stronger relationships
With the end of Section 21 evictions, landlords must have valid legal reasons to repossess a property. This makes tenant relationships more critical than ever.
Steps to take:
- Discuss upcoming legal changes with your tenants and how they might impact both parties.
- Keep clear records of communication, inspections, and any issues to protect yourself in case of disputes.
Tenants are now stakeholders in your rental business, so building open communication and trust can prevent future problems.
4. Review your agent: ensure they’re ready for the new era
If you use a letting agent, are they ready for the changes? Many agents will need to completely change how they handle rent increases, tenancy agreements, and compliance.
Key questions to ask your agent:
- How are they preparing for the new tenancy structure and compliance rules?
- How will they handle rent increases under the proposed changes?
- What steps are they taking to ensure they won’t expose you to fines or legal issues?
If your agent isn’t aware of/prepared for the new law, it may be time to find one who is.
5. Planning to carry on being a landlord? Be the best you can be!
With tougher regulations and higher standards, the rental market is becoming more challenging – but possibly also more rewarding for landlords who do things right – especially if the government keeps to its promise of not introducing rent controls.
How to thrive in the new era:
- Focus on tenant satisfaction; happy tenants will reduce legal headaches.
- Stay proactive with maintenance to avoid penalties.
- Keep learning and adapting.
The landlords who embrace these changes early should succeed. If you’re remaining a landlord, commit to being the best landlord you can be.
Patricia has written Be Prepared: Renters’ Rights & Residential Landlords (Amazon, all proceeds go to youth homelessness charity Centrepoint) to help landlords prepare for what’s next.