A majority of tenants will use the Renters’ Rights Bill as an opportunity to challenge rent increases, new research from leading estate agency group LRG reveals.

The Q1 2025 Lettings Report from LRG found that 53% of tenants would contest a rent rise, with 28% saying they were ‘very likely’ to do so.

However, the figures also show that nearly half of renters would not look to challenge a rent increase, a reflection, LRG says, of the fair pricing approach already adopted by many landlords.

Mandatory ombudsman

The findings come as the Renters’ Rights Bill progresses through Parliament, introducing reforms allowing tenants to appeal above-market rent increases through a new mandatory ombudsman scheme for all landlords, rather than through the clunky Tribunals system, as they can at present.

LRG says recent experience in Scotland has shown that during a period of temporary rent controls, the number of appeals increased sharply.

Fastest-growing

In England, the Ministry of Justice has reported 702,000 open tribunal cases at the end of 2024, with housing applications one of the fastest-growing categories.

The LRG findings also show that just 4% of landlords and 15% of tenants are confident a new ombudsman will resolve disputes fairly.

Reforms like this only work if they are clear and consistent.”

Allison Thompson, National Lettings MD at LRG, says: “The Renters’ Rights Bill represents a significant change for the private rented sector, but it’s important to recognise that not all tenants will be looking to challenge rent increases.

“Reforms like this only work if they are clear and consistent. Without the right safeguards, we risk seeing the same issues that have emerged in Scotland: growing backlogs, rising disputes, and reduced supply,” she says.

“That’s why we believe it’s essential that the House of Lords’ proposed amendment, linking rent increases to recognised indices, is included in the final legislation.”

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