The Renters’ Rights Act is set to transform the private rented sector in a way that has not been seen in decades.
At PropCo, we’ve been preparing for these changes to ensure our clients experience a smooth, compliant, and disruption-free transition. Here’s exactly how we’re supporting you through every reform.
Understanding the Changes
The Act introduces comprehensive reforms aimed at enhancing tenant rights, improving property standards, and creating a fairer rental market. These changes include the abolition of fixed-term ASTs, restrictions on rent increases, and new compliance requirements for landlords and agents.
How PropCo Supports You Across Key Reforms
(I) Abolition of Fixed-Term ASTs
What’s changing: All tenancies will become periodic, offering tenants greater flexibility.
PropCo already supports rolling monthly tenancy types, and existing ASTs will automatically convert to periodic at expiry. Safeguards ensure tenancies do not expire without formal notice.
(II) Abolition of Section 21 – “No Fault” Evictions
What’s changing: Landlords can no longer end tenancies without valid grounds.
PropCo logs possession reasons, integrates arrears chasing workflows, and provides alerts to prevent re-letting within mandatory timeframes. Marketing checklists reinforce compliance.
(III) Expanded Grounds for Possession (Section 8)
What’s changing: Enhanced requirements for documented possession grounds.
PropCo enables agents to track possession reasons and uses workflows to prevent premature re-letting. Mail merge templates ensure notices reflect updated legal wording.
(IV) Decent Homes Standard (Including Awaab’s Law)
What’s changing: New standards for air quality, damp, and mould management.
PropCo tracks safety inspections for air quality, damp, and mould, and includes pre-marketing checklists to ensure compliance.
(V) Limit Rent Increases to Once a Year (Section 13)
What’s changing: Rent reviews restricted to annual frequency.
PropCo allows annual rent review settings, automated reminders, and audit trails for Section 13 notices.
(VI) Prohibit Discrimination in Lettings
What’s changing: Restrictions like “No DSS” or “No Children” are now prohibited.
Restrictions like “No DSS” or “No Children” are disabled by default. Pre-marketing validation steps remove discriminatory filters.
(VII) Allow Renting with Pets
What’s changing: Tenants have enhanced rights to keep pets; landlords need documented reasons for refusal.
PropCo includes fields for pet permissions, reason codes for refusals, and integrates pet clauses into tenancy agreements.
(VIII) Ban on Rental Bidding Wars
What’s changing: Offers above the advertised rent are prohibited.
PropCo detects and flags offers above advertised rent and enforces compliance through validation checks.
(IX) Restriction on Rent in Advance
What’s changing: Limits on upfront rent payments to protect tenants.
PropCo enforces monthly rent claim generation for periodic tenancies, preventing excessive upfront payments.
(X) Creation of a PRS Database
What’s changing: Landlords will need to register on a national database.
PropCo includes fields for landlord registration numbers and is ready for future API integrations.
(XI) Introduce a Landlord Ombudsman
What’s changing: Mandatory Ombudsman membership for landlords.
PropCo tracks Ombudsman membership IDs and maintains complaint chronologies for audit purposes.
(XII) Futureproofing for Phased Rollouts
What’s coming: Staggered implementation dates for different provisions.
PropCo is building flexible modules and automated checklists that adapt as commencement dates are announced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the Renters’ Rights Act, and why is it important?
The Act introduces major reforms to improve tenant rights, property standards, and compliance requirements for landlords and agents. It’s the most significant change to the private rented sector in decades.
Q2: How will PropCo help me comply with the new rules?
PropCo automates compliance through workflows, alerts, and checklists for all key reforms, including tenancy structures, rent reviews, and property standards.
Q3: What happens to existing fixed-term ASTs?
They will continue until expiry and then automatically convert to periodic tenancies in PropCo.
Q4: How does PropCo handle Section 21 abolition?
PropCo logs possession reasons, integrates arrears workflows, and prevents premature re-letting through automated alerts and marketing checklists.
Q5: Can PropCo manage rent increase restrictions?
Yes. PropCo enforces annual rent review limits, sends reminders, and maintains audit trails for Section 13 notices.
Q6: How does PropCo support Decent Homes Standard compliance?
PropCo tracks inspections for air quality, damp, and mould, and ensures compliance before marketing properties.
Q7: Will PropCo integrate with the PRS database and Ombudsman?
Yes. PropCo already includes fields for registration and Ombudsman IDs and is ready for future API integrations.
Q8: When will these changes go live?
The Act has passed, but commencement dates will be phased. PropCo is ready to adapt as each provision takes effect.
The PropCo Advantage
While the Renters’ Rights Act introduces complexity, PropCo transforms compliance from a burden into a streamlined process. Ready to ensure seamless compliance with the Renters’ Rights Act? Contact us today.
