Recent research from Leaders Romans Group (LRG) has found that just over half of tenants—53%—are prepared to challenge rent increases as the Renters’ Rights Bill moves forward in Parliament.
This new legislation introduces a tribunal process that allows tenants to appeal rent hikes that are deemed above the market rate. The proposal has encouraged more renters to feel confident about standing up against unfair rent rises.
According to the report, 28% of tenants said they are ‘very likely’ to contest any proposed rent increase, showing a significant rise in tenant assertiveness compared to previous years.
Despite this growing willingness to challenge rent hikes, the research also reveals that almost half of tenants are unlikely to dispute such increases.
This suggests that a considerable number of landlords are already setting rents fairly and transparently, maintaining reasonable prices that do not provoke disputes.
New rules must be realistic
Allison Thompson, the national lettings managing director at Leaders Romans Group (LRG), commented on the impact of the Renters’ Rights Bill. She noted that while the legislation marks a major shift for the private rented sector, it is important to remember that not every tenant will seek to challenge rent increases.
Thompson pointed out that many tenants already have confidence in the rent review process, particularly when landlords have demonstrated a history of fair and market-aligned rent adjustments. “Our data reflects that,” she said.
At the same time, she emphasised the need for a realistic approach to the reforms. “Reforms like this only work if they are clear and consistent,” she explained.
Without appropriate safeguards in place, Thompson warned, the sector could face problems similar to those seen in Scotland. These include growing backlogs in dispute cases, an increase in conflicts between tenants and landlords, and a shrinking supply of available rental properties.
Her remarks highlight the importance of carefully designing and implementing the Renters’ Rights Bill to avoid unintended consequences while protecting tenant rights.
Framework for fairness
Ms Thompson went on to stress the importance of including a specific amendment proposed by the House of Lords in the final version of the legislation. This amendment would link rent increases to recognised indices, providing clear guidelines for all parties involved.
She explained that such a measure would offer much-needed clarity and reassurance, benefiting both landlords and tenants by setting fair and transparent limits on rent rises.
According to Ms Thompson, with the right professional advice, effective communication, and disciplined pricing, landlords can maintain full control over their rental agreements.
She emphasised that the new system should not be viewed as a threat. Instead, it should be seen as a fair framework that supports good landlords, many of whom will find they need to make very few changes to their current practices.
Rents up 5.5%
The latest Lettings Report from the firm reveals that average rents across England have increased by 5.5% over the past year. This rise is putting extra pressure on tenants, particularly in regions where the increases have been most significant.
Areas such as the North and South West have experienced especially sharp rent hikes, which has heightened concerns over affordability for many renters in these parts of the country.
Despite these challenges, the report also shows a positive outlook from both landlords and tenants regarding the new tribunal system.
According to the survey, 62% of landlords see the tribunal process as a chance to create a clearer and more transparent framework for setting rents. Meanwhile, 75% of tenants believe the reforms will help improve affordability by limiting excessive rent increases.
Scotland’s rent court woes
Leaders Romans Group (LRG) points to Scotland’s recent experience as a warning for England. During the period of temporary rent controls, the number of appeals surged dramatically, reaching 899 between April 2024 and March 2025. This is a sharp increase from just 106 appeals in the previous year, according to data from Generation Rent.
Similarly, tribunal cases in England have almost doubled, rising from 483 in 2019 to 921 in 2023. Housing disputes have played a significant role in this increase, contributing to a backlog of 702,000 unresolved cases by late 2024, as reported by the Ministry of Justice.
In Scotland, cases handled by the Housing and Property Chamber rose substantially as well, from 2,760 in 2021–22 to 4,271 in 2023–24. These figures highlight the importance of having strong systems in place to manage and resolve disputes effectively.
Despite the introduction of a new ombudsman system aimed at addressing these issues, confidence remains low. Only 4% of landlords and 15% of tenants say they have strong faith in the system’s ability to resolve disputes fairly.
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