More than eight in ten (84%) of landlords are unprepared for the Renters’ Rights Act go-live on May 1, with 58% at high risk of non-compliance according to new figures.

It comes after nearly 400 landlords rated their readiness on a newly launched compliance scorecard from Togal.

The free online self-assessment tool scores landlords on their readiness across five key areas of the Renters’ Rights Act legislation, largely focused on the documentation compliance that will be such a major factor of the new act and its enforcement.

Categories rated within the compliance scorecard include assessing communication records to understand how landlords are documenting conversations with tenants; safety compliance to check safety certificates are current and have been issued; tenancy documentation to cover the provision of the Information Sheet and a record of documents such as deposit protection and prescribed information; the tracking and processes for repair and maintenance, and business readiness for potential tenant disputes.

Only 16% mostly compliant

Of the nearly 400 landlords who used the scorecard up to mid-April they scored an average of 38%, with 84% falling into the at-risk or high-risk tiers. Only 16% scored as mostly compliant and 58% fell into a high-risk category.

James Ashford, spokesperson for Togal, emphasised the necessity for proper documentation and record-keeping with the introduction of the new responsibilities for landlords under the Renters’ Rights Act.

He said: “Most landlords are doing many things right. But the Renters’ Rights Act changes the burden of proof. It is no longer enough to say you sent a document or fixed a repair. You need to be able to demonstrate it with a clear, time-stamped trail.”

He warned that the true risk to compliance could be even higher, since those who filled out the scorecard had actively sought out a compliance check and were testing their compliance.