A survey has raised concerns that many landlords are not familiar with the upcoming mandatory private rented sector database, despite growing awareness of the wider changes introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act.
The research, conducted by property management firm August, gathered responses from 276 landlords. Although the findings suggest that most respondents understand at least the main provisions of the legislation, awareness of the new registration requirements remains considerably lower.
Around 81% of landlords surveyed said they understood the Renters’ Rights Act in broad terms. However, only 46% said they had both understood the main changes and adapted their practices accordingly. A further 35% were familiar with the key provisions but had not yet made any changes to how they operate.
Meanwhile, 12% knew about the legislation but were unclear about its details, while 7% said they had not heard of it before completing the survey.
Awareness of Key Rental Reforms Varies
The survey also examined landlords’ familiarity with seven major measures included in the Renters’ Rights Act. Awareness varied considerably depending on the change being considered.
The most widely recognised measure was the new provision allowing tenants to request permission to keep a pet, which landlords cannot unreasonably refuse. Some 59% of respondents said they were aware of this change.
The rule limiting rent increases to once a year, using the formal notice procedure, was the second most familiar measure, recognised by 55% of landlords surveyed.
Around half of respondents understood that landlords cannot refuse prospective tenants simply because they have children or receive benefits. This provision was recognised by 49% of those surveyed.
Awareness was slightly lower for the move to periodic tenancies for all new rental agreements, at 47%, and the abolition of Section 21 no-fault evictions, at 46%.
The restriction preventing landlords from requesting more than one month’s rent in advance was recognised by 42% of respondents.
While these figures suggest that many landlords have some understanding of the legislation’s practical implications, the findings indicate that important gaps in knowledge remain.
Mandatory Database and Ombudsman Largely Overlooked
The most significant finding concerned the new private rented sector database and landlord ombudsman. Only 23% of landlords surveyed said they were aware of these requirements, despite both being intended to apply to landlords in England.
Under the planned system, landlords will be required to register with the database and join the landlord ombudsman scheme. These are not optional arrangements reserved for landlords who have received complaints or encountered problems with their tenants.
The results suggest that many landlords may be concentrating on the changes that directly affect day-to-day letting practices, such as rent increases, pets and eviction procedures, while overlooking the new administrative obligations.
Richard Samuel, chief executive of August, said landlords had made considerable efforts to understand the provisions affecting how they let properties and regain possession of them. However, he argued that the compulsory nature of the database and ombudsman scheme had not been communicated effectively enough.
He warned that landlords who remain unaware of the requirements could face penalties simply because they had not received or understood the relevant information before the registration deadline.
The findings therefore raise questions about whether landlords are receiving enough guidance to prepare for the full range of changes under the Renters’ Rights Act.
Landlords May Need to Review Their Compliance
The survey highlights the importance of looking beyond the most widely discussed elements of the Renters’ Rights Act. Although understanding the main changes is a useful starting point, landlords will also need to familiarise themselves with the administrative requirements that apply to them.
Those who have not yet reviewed the legislation may benefit from checking the latest official guidance and identifying the steps they will need to take to remain compliant.
The database and ombudsman requirements are particularly important because they are intended to apply broadly across the private rented sector in England. Landlords should therefore avoid assuming that registration will only be necessary if a dispute arises or if they manage a larger portfolio.
The research also suggests that the property sector may need to improve how it communicates upcoming obligations. Clear information about registration, deadlines and potential penalties could help landlords prepare in advance and reduce the risk of accidental non-compliance.
Age Linked to Greater Understanding
August also found that understanding of the legislation increased substantially with age. However, the survey information provided does not specify the exact differences between age groups.
As the Renters’ Rights Act introduces changes across several areas of the private rented sector, landlords will need to ensure that they understand not only the headline reforms but also the practical steps required to comply with them.
The full survey findings are available from August at www.augustapp.com/landlord-survey-2026.
Overall, the research indicates that while many landlords are familiar with the main elements of the Renters’ Rights Act, awareness of the mandatory database and ombudsman remains limited. With the new requirements approaching, improving communication and encouraging landlords to check their obligations will be essential to ensuring they are prepared.
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