While concerns remain elevated, sentiment has softened slightly since the previous quarter. Seven in ten landlords believe the Renters’ Rights Act will negatively impact their own lettings activity, down from 75% in Q4 2025. Similarly, 77% believe the legislation will negatively affect the private rented sector overall, an improvement from 84% previously.
Operational concerns remain particularly strong around possession processes and enforcement. Nine in ten landlords are concerned about the potential for court backlogs linked to tenant evictions, with almost three quarters describing themselves as ‘very concerned’. Among landlords with 11 or more properties, this rises sharply to 86%, highlighting the heightened exposure larger portfolio operators may feel around delays and procedural changes.
Other policy and regulatory pressures are also shaping landlord sentiment. More than six in ten landlords say a potential 2% increase in income tax rates would be ‘very concerning’, while nearly half express similar concerns around the proposed requirement for properties to reach EPC ‘C’ by 2030.
Broader policy measures continue to generate mixed reactions. The Renters’ Rights Act itself remains a significant area of concern, alongside the increase in Stamp Duty for additional properties. However, landlords appear less troubled by some of the newer tax proposals, with just over half saying they are unconcerned about the proposed higher council tax surcharge on high-value properties.
The legislation is also expected to influence tenant selection. Nearly eight in ten landlords agree that the changes introduced through the Renters’ Rights Act will make them more selective about the tenants they choose to let to, suggesting the reforms may have a wider impact on how risk is assessed across the sector.
It’s good to see landlords becoming more familiar with the detail of the reforms, even though concerns around implementation, profitability and operational pressures remain firmly in place.
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