New polling reported by Property Industry Eye suggests that public awareness of the Renters’ Rights reforms is still uneven, with understanding concentrated around the end of Section 21 rather than the wider set of changes affecting rent rises, rental advertising and upfront payments.
For landlords, the practical point is not simply that tenants may have questions. It is that the first months of a new regime are likely to bring confusion on both sides unless paperwork, adverts, rent review processes and tenant communications are kept clear and consistent.
What the polling suggests
The research highlighted in the report found that the best-known part of the reforms remains the proposed abolition of so-called no-fault evictions. Around seven in ten respondents were aware of that change, making it the part of the legislation most likely to have cut through to the wider public.
Awareness was much lower for other measures. The report said a third of the public were unaware that landlords would only be able to increase rent once per year. It also said 38% did not know that landlords and agents would have to advertise rental properties with a fixed asking price and would be prevented from encouraging bidding wars. A similar proportion were unaware of limits on asking for more than one month’s rent in advance.
Even among private renters, the findings point to a knowledge gap. According to the report, one in eight private renters said they had not heard of the legislation, while others had heard the name but knew little about the detail.
That matters because the Renters’ Rights changes are not just a possession-notice story. They affect how homes are marketed, how rent changes are handled, what information tenants expect to receive, and how landlords demonstrate that they have followed the rules.
Why landlords should not rely on headline awareness
Section 21 has understandably received the most attention, but landlords who focus only on that change risk missing the parts of the regime that appear in everyday management. A fixed asking rent, clear rent-increase timing and careful handling of upfront payments can all become live issues before a tenancy even begins.
Patchy awareness can also create friction. A tenant who has heard that the law has changed, but not which part or when, may challenge an advert, a rent review or a payment request without fully understanding the detail. A landlord who has updated one process but not another may find it harder to explain their position.
This is why a calm audit is more useful than a last-minute scramble. Landlords may want to compare their current approach with official guidance, agent instructions and tenancy documents, then make sure everyone involved in advertising, referencing, renewals and rent reviews is using the same version of the rules.
For a wider preparation checklist, see our earlier guide on the Renters’ Rights timetable. Landlords dealing with possession paperwork may also find it useful to revisit our note on possession notices around 1 May 2026.
Areas worth checking now
The first area is advertising. If fixed asking prices are part of the rules, landlords and agents need a shared process for setting, approving and publishing the advertised rent. That includes checking portal listings, agent copy, email templates and any informal wording that could be read as inviting higher offers.
The second area is rent reviews. A once-a-year rent increase rule makes diary control and written records more important. Landlords should be able to see when the last increase took effect, what notice was given, what evidence supported the new rent, and whether any pending communication has been superseded by newer requirements.
The third area is payments at the start of a tenancy. If renters are more aware that advance rent is limited, landlords should expect closer scrutiny of holding deposits, tenancy deposits, first rent payments and any request for rent in advance. Clear breakdowns can help avoid disputes caused by poor wording rather than bad intent.
The fourth area is tenant communication. Some landlords will be tempted to send long legalistic explanations. A better approach is usually a short, factual note that explains what is changing, what has not changed, and where tenants can find official information. The tone should be practical rather than defensive.
Keep the audit informational and evidence-led
None of this means landlords should make rushed decisions about rent levels, possession strategy or portfolio planning. Those are fact-specific matters and may require professional advice. The safer unattended task is administrative: check the documents, check the adverts, check the dates and keep a record of the sources used.
The polling is a useful reminder that a reform can be high-profile without being well understood. Landlords who prepare only for the best-known change may miss the quieter operational details that tenants, councils and agents are likely to notice once the new system is in use.
For now, the practical message is simple: do not assume awareness equals understanding. Treat the Renters’ Rights reforms as a whole-system update across advertising, onboarding, rent reviews, records and tenant-facing communication.
