Landlord Eye #2: Renters' Rights and energy efficiency

The results from our second Landlord Eye survey reveal a membership grappling with multiple legislative pressures. While the Renters' Rights Bill continues to overshadow all other concerns, energy efficiency has emerged as a rapidly growing priority for landlords.

Renters' Rights Bill: Still the dominant concern

When landlords were asked to explain what's driving their current confidence levels, the Renters' Rights Bill accounted for 41% of all  mentions - more than any other single issue. This dominance reflects the Bill's sweeping impact on how landlords will operate, particularly around possession procedures.

However, there's a striking gap between awareness and preparation.

In all 35% of landlords say they are fully engaged, actively tracking parliamentary debates and attending webinars with 58%  ‘partially aware’, following headlines and NRLA updates but planning to dive deeper once the Bill passes into law.

This "wait and see" approach extends to business planning, with roughly equal numbers of landlords either adopting a cautious stance or actively planning market exits through property sales.

The possession challenge driving decisions

The loss of Section 21, so-called ’no-fault’" evictions remains landlords' core concern.

 Many fear they'll struggle to repossess  even in clear cases of arrears or anti-social behaviour, while expressing little confidence in the courts' ability to resolve cases quickly.

This anxiety is already affecting tenant selection practices, with 27% saying they are introducing more rigorous  vetting processes.

Many landlords are also considering rent-guarantee insurance or requiring guarantors as additional protection.

Despite these concerns, landlords continue to show flexibility where possible, with  28% of those experiencing arrears in the past two years choosing  to write off debt rather repossess.

However, they stress this leniency is only viable if reliable, timely possession routes exist.

Energy efficiency: The quarter's biggest shift

While the Renters' Rights Bill dominates headlines, the most significant change this quarter has been the surge in energy efficiency concerns.

Mentions of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)  have more than tripled since the last survey

This spike suggests landlords are beginning to grapple with the practical realities of compliance, particularly in older properties where improvements may be costly or technically challenging.

Broader legislative pressures

Beyond the headline issues, landlords are also preparing for:

• The impact of Section 24, as the mortgage interest tax relief phase-out continues to affect portfolio viability
• Making Tax Digital requirements, and the administrative burden of new record-keeping rules
• Student market concerns, as EPC requirements threaten the viability of some HMO investments

What this reveals about landlord sentiment

The survey paints a picture of a sector in transition, with landlords simultaneously adapting to current changes while preparing for future ones.

The combination of high awareness but variable preparation suggests many are waiting for greater certainty before making significant business decisions.

The dramatic rise in energy efficiency concerns, alongside persistent Renters’ Rights Bill anxiety, indicates landlords are beginning to feel the cumulative weight of regulatory change.

How they navigate these multiple pressures will likely shape the rental market for years to come.

To access the report, click here