Seven in ten renters lack clarity on the Renters’ Rights Act ahead of major reforms
- info378176
- Nov 24
- 3 min read
With the biggest changes to private renting in nearly 40 years just months away, most tenants still don’t understand what’s coming. New research from the TDS Charitable Foundation shows that almost seven in ten renters either haven’t heard of the Renters’ Rights Act or don’t know what it means for them.
The findings land just days after the Government confirmed how the new rules will be rolled out – and highlight a worrying gap in renter awareness as major changes approach.
Confusion is widespread
According to the survey of over 1,000 private renters in England:
51% have heard of the Act but don’t know how it will affect them
18% have never heard of it at all
This means the majority of tenants are heading into the biggest rental reform in a generation without a clear understanding of their new protections.
Why the Act matters
From 1 May next year, the Renters’ Rights Act will bring in widespread reforms, including:
The end of “no-fault” Section 21 evictions
The end of fixed-term tenancies
Stronger rights for tenants to challenge above-market rent increases
Fairer access to homes for families with children and those receiving benefits
For many renters, these changes could transform their security and confidence in the market – but only if they know what their rights actually are.
Renters want more information
Given the importance of the Renters’ Rights Act, an overwhelming majority of tenants (82%) have said they want more information about how the Act affects them.
When asked how they’d like to access that information:
41% prefer short, written guides on a dedicated website
35% want email newsletters
26% favour video content such as YouTube animations
21% would like printed leaflets
To help address this urgent need for more information, TDS Charitable Foundation is partnering with Crisis to produce joint guidance for renters to support them through the transition.
It will be made available in 2026 and include written and video resources explaining what the Renters’ Rights Act means in practice and how renters can exercise their new protections.
Whilst the Government has committed to a dedicated tenant education campaign, this will not start until a month before the changes take effect.
“Awareness is dangerously low”
Dr Jennifer Harris, Head of Policy, Research and Social Impact at the TDS Charitable Foundation, said:
“The Renters’ Rights Act is 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.
“With less than six months until implementation, 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.
“Waiting until just a month before the Act comes into force will not give tenants the time they need to properly get to grips with the changes to come and plan accordingly.”
About the survey
This short survey was carried out between 28th and 30th October 2025, immediately following the Renters’ Rights Act (RRA) receiving Royal Assent and became law. The survey included a sample of 1,007 tenants recruited from across England. Results were weighted by age, gender, and region to ensure they accurately represent the private rental market.
The full results of the survey can be accessed here.
