Widespread concern throughout the sector over incoming regulatory adjustments and the Renters’ Rights Bill, have been highlighted in new analysis by proptech supplier Reapit.
The Property Outlook Report 2025 reveals letting brokers, landlords, and gross sales professionals are bracing themselves for essentially the most difficult compliance surroundings in many years.
Almost 60% of respondents cited new rules as their important fear for 2025. These numbers mirror rising unease concerning the implications of reforms on the house gross sales and personal rented sector (PRS).
The Renters’ Rights Bill, because of turn into legislation later this yr is inflicting specific anxiousness. When launched it’ll abolish fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies and Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, whereas introducing extra stringent restore obligations, lease problem rights for tenants and tighter compliance deadlines. It additionally introduces an unbiased ombudsman for the PRS and considerably will increase penalties for non-compliance.
Reapit’s examine signifies that greater than 61% of property professionals surveyed mentioned they had been dissatisfied with the draft proposals first launched in 2024, whereas fewer than one in ten expressed help.
EPC adjustments are additionally on the horizon for the PRS, with all properties needing to achieve a minimal EPC ranking of C for brand spanking new lets by 2028.
The authorities has revealed it’s seeking to handle a number of the business’s concerns across the Bill.
In a reply to Reapit’s enquiries, housing minister Matthew Pennycook MP defined that HM Courts and Tribunals Service was seeking to handle delays in bailiff enforcement affecting landlords by strengthening bailiff recruitment and retention, issuing clearer steering on rights and duties.
Also launching an automatic fee system to streamline debt restoration to unlock bailiffs for possession circumstances.
The authorities can be engaged on a brand new end-to-end digital possession service that can automate warrant requests and payment submissions, with the intention of accelerating the enforcement course of by slicing the quantity of admin time spent on paperwork.
The authorities can be contemplating a sooner, different mechanism for preliminary lease assessments, avoiding a tribunal listening to totally, one thing Reapit has campaigned for.
The Renters’ Rights Bill, launched by Labour in September 2024 has progressed slower than anticipated.
Labour, in the course of the General Election marketing campaign mentioned it might finish no-fault evictions “instantly” if it received energy – that didn’t occur.
