Are NRLA members better prepared for new standards? New research shows the value of NRLA membership

Introduction

In the winter of 2025, the NRLA - in partnership with the Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS) - commissioned an all-landlord survey in order to examine private sector landlords’ views on upcoming changes to housing standards, in particular changes to the Decent Homes Standard (DHS) and energy efficiency standards. The survey asked a range of questions that covered:

• Landlord awareness of changes to EPCs
• Landlord awareness of changes to the Decent Homes Standards and its application to the Private Rented Sector (PRS).
• Awareness of the government’s plans on the housing ombudsman and landlord database.

The research consisted of 1,001 online interviews with landlords, conducted independently by leading market research company Dynata. A more detailed note on methodology is at the foot of this post. All statistics and results quoted are as reported by Dynata, although figures may be rounded for presentation purposes.

The NRLA is solely responsible for the interpretation and presentation of results in this post. AMBS have not contributed to this post in any way.

Awareness of EPC changes:

Researchers asked landlords whether they were aware that the minimum EPC rating could be raised to a C by 2030.

Just over half (52%) of respondents said they were aware of this proposed change, while 48% were not. This may indicate a gap exist among some landlords' awareness of upcoming reforms. Further evidence of this gap in landlords' awareness shows itself elsewhere in the research:

• For example, whilst 59% of respondents were aware that future EPC assessments are likely to become tougher, 41% were not.

Graph 1: Landlord awareness of EPC reforms

Awareness of DHS and PRS database requirements

As with the proposed EPC changes, landlord awareness of changes to the DHS, the new PRS database and the ombudsman service is high. However, the findings also provide evidence that gaps in awareness exist.

Just over half of landlords - 56% - said they were aware that the DHS will be applied to the PRS as part of the Renters’ Rights Act. This compares to 44% of landlords who were not aware of this change.

Whilst 52% of landlords stated they were aware that they would need to sign up to the new PRS database and ombudsman service,  48% said they were not aware of this - a much narrower gap.

Graph 2: Landlord awareness of DHS reforms

Are NRLA members more aware?

The level of awareness changes when respondents are separated into NRLA members and non-members:

• Members showed a higher awareness of proposed EPC reforms. For example, 70% of members stated that they were aware that the minimum EPC rating for properties could be increased to C. This compares to 66% of non-members.
• Members also showed higher awareness of the proposed changes to the assessment system for EPCs, with 69% aware that assessments may become tougher in the future, compared with 50% of non-members.

A similar pattern can be seen in relation to DHS, the PRS database and the ombudsman service. NRLA members were consistently more aware than non-members of upcoming changes.

• For example, 65% of members were aware that the DHS will be expanded to include PRS properties, compared with 56% of non-members.
• Similarly, 61% of members were aware that landlords will be required to sign up to the PRS database and ombudsman service. This compares to 52% of non-members.

Summary

Overall, the survey demonstrates that landlords who are members of the NRLA are consistently more likely to be aware of upcoming legislative and regulatory changes affecting the private rented sector than non-members. The data shows a clear and consistent knowledge gap between the two groups:

EPC Policy

This differences are particularly pronounced in relation to EPC policy, where NRLA members show higher levels of awareness compared to non-members. This suggests that access to industry guidance, updates, and support plays an important role in keeping landlords informed.

This is especially important given that energy efficiency regulation has frequently changed in the last few years. These changes include the deadline as well as the policy being completely abandoned by the Government in 2023. It is also important to note that, at the time of the survey fieldwork, these changes were still under consultation and not yet confirmed by the Government, although they were widely expected.

Awareness of these changes matters because improving energy efficiency can require landlords to make long-term financial and practical decisions. Where policy has been uncertain or subject to change, landlords need clear and timely information to help them plan ahead, avoid unnecessary costs, and understand what will be expected of them.

Decent Homes Standard

A similar pattern can be seen in relation to awareness of the DHS and the introduction of a PRS register and ombudsman service. While overall awareness is mixed, NRLA members consistently demonstrate higher levels of understanding than non-members. This is of particular importance as these changes represent a shift in direction for the PRS. It should be of concern that a significant number of landlords are not yet aware of the new obligations under the Renters’ Rights Act.

The findings underline the practical value of NRLA membership. At a time when landlords are facing a growing number of regulatory and legislative changes, access to clear, timely and trusted information is essential. The higher levels of awareness among NRLA members suggest that membership plays an important role in helping landlords understand upcoming reforms, prepare for new responsibilities and navigate an increasingly complex policy environment with greater confidence.

Footnote: Methodology

In this study:

• Exactly 1,001 landlords participated.
• Almost two-thirds (61%) of survey participants were male.
• 15% of respondents were 55 years of age, whilst 31% were under 35 years of age.
• Whilst 49% of participants were single-property landlords, 10% let more than five properties.
• The objective of the sampling was to follow the landlord profile (by portfolio size) set out in the 2024 English Private Landlord Survey (EPLS). Note, it was not possible to match this reference point precisely.
• This is very different to typical NRLA membership surveys which consistently have around 15% of respondents as single-property landlords (reflecting the composition of NRLA membership)
• 5% of the landlords had “most of their rental properties” in Wales.

All research was online and conducted independently by leading market research company Dynata. The NRLA drafted the questions through the collaboration.

Dynata use their own, market-leading, audience databases to contact landlords:

• Half of landlords contacted in this survey were current members of the NRLA
• Almost 40% (38%) stated they had never been NRLA members.
• A further 11% declared themselves to be former members.
• 22% of respondents stated they had “never heard” of the NRLA