Renters' Rights Act Burden: 73% of Agents Report Admin Overload

Administrative Burden Intensifies for Lettings Professionals

Almost three-quarters of lettings professionals have experienced a significant increase in administrative workload since the Renters' Rights Act came into force on 1 May 2026, according to new research by Propoly. The survey reveals that 73% of property professionals report heightened administrative demands, with a quarter describing the impact on their business as substantial.

Compliance and record keeping have emerged as the primary source of extra work, cited by 18% of respondents. Rent review procedures follow closely at 16%, while 14% of agents have identified possessions and tenancy endings as particularly labour-intensive tasks. The legislation's requirements are reshaping how lettings teams operate, with half of all respondents noting that lettings and property management staff must now collaborate far more closely than before.

Technology Fragmentation Compounds Operational Challenges

A significant barrier to efficiency is the fragmentation of technology systems across the sector. Only 17% of letting agencies operate a single integrated technology platform to manage the additional compliance work created by the Act. Conversely, two-thirds rely on multiple disconnected systems, while another 17% continue to depend heavily on emails, spreadsheets and other manual processes.

This lack of integration is creating unnecessary duplication of effort. Some 61% of respondents reported that employees must transfer, re-enter or duplicate information between systems during a tenancy lifecycle. More than half (52%) believe that better system integration would significantly improve operational efficiency.

When asked which areas would benefit most from improved technology links, respondents prioritised landlord communication and decision-making, followed by tenant referencing, compliance management, and tenant communications. The consensus suggests that streamlining information flow between teams and systems should be a priority for agencies seeking to reduce manual workload and human error.

Compliance and Profitability Remain Top Concerns

Looking ahead, lettings professionals anticipate ongoing operational challenges. Some 28% of respondents expect compliance requirements to become their biggest operational hurdle under the new Act. A further 21% are concerned about maintaining profitability whilst managing the additional administrative burden, and 16% cited the overall administrative load as their primary worry.

Sim Sekhon, group chief executive officer at Propoly, commented: "More than 100 days on from the introduction of the Renters' Rights Act, it is clear that the impact is being felt not only in terms of the additional work required, but also in the way lettings businesses need to organise their people, processes and technology."

Sekhon added that the sector's challenge extends beyond simply handling increased administration: "The challenge for the sector is not simply dealing with more administration. It is making sure that information can move efficiently between the teams and systems involved in managing a tenancy, without creating unnecessary duplication or additional manual work."

Path Forward for the Lettings Industry

As the Renters' Rights Act requirements become embedded into day-to-day operations, lettings businesses will increasingly seek solutions that balance compliance delivery with profitability. Technology will play a crucial role, but Sekhon emphasised that the value lies in reducing system fragmentation rather than simply adding additional platforms to an already complex operational environment.

For property investors and landlords using lettings agents, the research highlights why selecting a well-organised, adequately resourced agency matters more than ever. Agents with robust compliance processes, integrated systems, and close operational alignment between departments are better positioned to protect landlord interests whilst meeting the Act's stringent requirements. Landlords should consider whether their current agent has the infrastructure and team capacity to handle the new obligations effectively.

Source: Property Industry Eye.