The Renters’ Rights Act risks failing to deliver on its promises because of ‘dangerously low’ awareness levels among tenants about their new rights when the landmark reforms come into force in May, the TDS Charitable Foundation has warned.

Dr Jennifer Harris, Head of Policy, Research and Social Impact at the Foundation, says: “The Renters’ Rights Act represents a landmark opportunity to empower tenants and hold the minority of landlords who break the rules to account.

“Yet our research makes one thing clear: awareness is dangerously low, and without urgent action, these reforms risk falling flat.”

The survey of over 1,000 private renters in England carried out by TDS Charitable Foundation found that only half of all private sector tenants (51 per cent) have heard of the Act, but remain unclear about its implications for them. Nearly one in five tenants (18 per cent) remain completely unaware of the Act at all.

82% want more information

Given its importance, an overwhelming majority of tenants (82 per cent) have said they want to receive more information about how the Renters’ Rights Act affects them.

When asked how they would prefer to access this information, 41 per cent of renters favoured concise written guides on a dedicated website, followed by 35 per cent opting for email newsletters, 26 per cent for video content such as YouTube animations, and 21 per cent for printed leaflets.

The Act’s promise of security and fairness will remain out of reach for millions.”

Although the Government has committed to a dedicated tenant education campaign, it will not start until a month before the Act begins to be implemented.

Dr Harris, though, says: “The Government must quickly launch a high-profile campaign across a range of platforms to ensure renters understand their new rights and how to use them.

“Without this, the Act’s promise of security and fairness will remain out of reach for millions.”