1 in 5 tenants who understand the Renters’ Rights Act will choose to rent a different type of property

The Renters’ Rights Act introduces fundamental changes that can impact tenants’ decisions. For example, tenants with children or pets who previously had limited options will now have a broader choice of where and what they rent as the Act bans discrimination against tenants with children and affords tenants the right to request a pet.   

Student renters also have greater choice, as they will no longer be limited to fixed-term contracts linked to the academic year and can instead opt for periodic tenancies in the private rental sector, which they can end with two months’ notice. Students who still want a fixed term contract can opt to live in purpose-built student accommodation or university halls.   

This heightened choice is something that landlords and accommodation providers need to bear in mind as the Act comes into force. So, too, is the fact that HMO landlords can no longer advertise their properties more than six months in advance. With Housing Hand’s research showing that 17% of renters research properties more than six months in advance, and 7% secure their accommodation more than six months in advance, this is another element of the Renters’ Rights Act’s impact for which landlords must prepare.   

These insights come from a brand-new survey of c. 1,700 current renters undertaken by Housing Hand in February 2026, in which respondents shared their opinions on a wide range of aspects of renting in the UK. Housing Hand has published the results in its Understanding Renters in 2026 report.   

The survey emphasised the need for an increased push to grow awareness of the Renters’ Rights Act, as just 34% of renters reported knowing what the Act is, while 37% have heard of it but don’t know what it involves and 29% don’t know what it is.   

Renters have thus far relied mainly on online resources for their knowledge of the Act, including housing, government and charity websites. Just 3% said they had heard about it from their landlord as of February 2026. As landlords are required by law to share the Government’s Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet with their tenants by 31^st May 2026, or face a fine of up to £7,000, this figure should have risen significantly by that time.  

In addition, 88% of renters didn’t know the implementation date of the Renters’ Rights Act when asked (three months prior to 1^st May 2026) and 42% of renters report finding the UK rental market confusing right now. Understanding of the Act is even lower among student renters, only 19% of whom understand how it will impact their rights. Housing Hand is working closely with its clients – those who have used its Guarantor, Depositless, House Finder and Only My Share services – to address this confusion and lack of understanding head-on. It is also working in partnership with landlords, universities and purpose-built student accommodation operators, sharing a range of resources, from written materials to webinars, to grow awareness of the Act and understanding of its implications for the entire rental sector.  

Graham Hayward, Managing Director, Housing Hand, comments: “Our second annual Understanding Renters report reveals significant gaps in knowledge in relation to the Renters’ Rights Act. With implementation now upon us, accommodation providers will need to work closely with their tenants to support successful rental experiences in this new landscape. Housing Hand is working proactively with its accommodation providers, landlords and lettings agents, as well as with our guarantor clients, to ensure this is the case.”  

The Understanding Renters in 2026 report is available to download at https://housinghand.com/understanding-renters-in-2026.