Just one in six landlords says they are fully prepared for the Renters’ Rights Bill just months away from the legislation going live.

And more than a third (36%) have either not heard of it or don’t know what it means for them, according to a survey of a thousand property investors by estate agency Cavendish.

Another 16% have heard of it, but know very little about it, with 32% saying they have a general understanding but still have questions.

Survey results:

• I understand it in detail and feel fully prepared (16%) 160
• I’m not aware of it at all (7%) 71
• I’m aware of it but don’t fully understand what it means for me (29%) 289
• I’ve heard of it but know very little about it (16%) 165
• I have a general understanding but still have questions (32%) 316

(1001 responses)

The Bill is due to return to the House of Commons next week for final amendments and approval, after which it will receive Royal Assent and becomes law.

The potential cost of falling foul of the new legislation in terms of reputation and financial penalties is enormous.”

David Adams, Managing Director at Cavendish and author of The Landlord’s Playbook (main picture), said: “There is a huge amount at stake for landlords with the imminent introduction of the Renters Rights Bill.

“The changes being introduced are some of the biggest impacting landlords for decades and the potential cost of falling foul of the new legislation in terms of reputation and financial penalties is enormous.

Not prepared

“While we have been supporting landlords directly and via regular webinars for some time, it is clear from our survey that the vast majority of landlords across England do not feel fully prepared for what is set to become law in a matter of weeks,” he says.

“Being fully prepared is the only way forward if landlords are serious about protecting and growing their rental portfolios.”

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