The UK’s chief property ombudsman Lesley Horton has said she welcomes the reforms coming with the Renters’ Right Act implementation this week but says that small-scale landlords in particular will need support to adapt to the changes.
Horton said: “This Act has the potential to positively transform the private rental sector for both tenants and landlords. It is once-in-a-generation legislation with real scope. In particular, the protections that will be offered to those renting homes are genuinely groundbreaking and we absolutely welcome them.
“There’s often a misconception that what’s good for tenants must be bad for landlords, or vice versa. However, we’ve found that in many cases, their interests align.
“Tenants want secure homes where they can settle, and landlords want reliable tenants who will stay long-term. The Renters Rights Act has the capacity to address these shared goals.”
Agents play a vital role
She said that agents will be essential to managing compliance and maintaining positive landlord-tenant relationships under the new framework helping avoid property disputes.
The Property Ombudsman (TPO) has been providing consumers and businesses with an alternative property dispute resolution service since 1990, but in the four months between November 2025 and February 2026, received 58% more complaints than in the same period a year earlier, something the TPO attributed to the Renters’ Rights effect.
Horton said the additional landlord support for small-scale landlords in particular would be essential. She added: “It is vital that landlords are supported through this process, which means a sensible, phased implementation that gives everyone in the private rental sector time to get ready. There will inevitably be changes that need to be implemented, particularly for landlords.
“With proper support and guidance, we’re confident that all parties will adapt successfully to these changes. The reforms present an opportunity to strengthen the sector, and by ensuring landlords have access to professional advice and a clear implementation timeline, we can maintain a healthy supply of quality rental properties. This stability benefits everyone – landlords, tenants, and the broader rental market.”
Weeding out rogue landlords
She also said the act would help to weed out rogue landlords from the sector. “Good landlords have nothing to fear from this. They already keep their properties in good repair and are responsive to tenants. Yet they’ve got people in the same market that frankly operate like slum housing, that’s not a fair playing field. “Good landlords don’t want those bad actors in the sector. They want everyone to operate to the same high standards as they do, so moving towards that professionalisation of landlords is good for everyone.”
