There are major concerns among landlords and varied levels of preparedness among agents as the Renters’ Rights Act approaches, Goodlord reveals.

Goodlord’s research, part of a landmark study into stakeholder sentiment ahead of the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act (RRA), found 82% of landlords expressed concern about the impact of the incoming legislation, with 44% “very concerned”.

The findings suggest this will have real consequences for the market as 75% of the landlords surveyed said regulation has made them less likely to grow their portfolios, with 49% planning to sell or reduce their stake in the market within the next 12 months.

Wider estimates suggest more than 200,000 properties could disappear from the rental market by the end of this year.

Of landlords, 44% cited regulatory pressure as the single biggest barrier to growth currently facing their investments, with 14% noting regulatory anxiety dwarfing taxation and 12% highlighting economic uncertainty as the defining commercial concern facing this group.

The data also reveals 89% of letting agents feel ready for the upcoming changes.

Goodlord’s findings show that just 61% of letting agents feel ready to handle eviction processes.

The gap between perceived readiness and actual capability is one of the most significant risks currently facing the PRS, Goodlord says, with potential knock-on effects for letting businesses and the landlords and tenants they serve.

In a snap poll of letting agency leaders at its recent Goodlord Leaders’ Forum in central London, 33% of letting agents in the audience said they believed the RRA would be bad for business, with 18% admitting they didn’t expect to be working in lettings in five years time.

Goodlord managing director Tom Goodman says: “Landlords are sending a very clear signal. When nearly half are considering selling within the year, it points to a market under strain.”

“The Renters’ Rights Act aims to improve outcomes for tenants, but these findings show the scale of concern among landlords about how the changes will work in practice.”

“The data on agents is equally telling. While confidence levels appear high on the surface, the gap between perceived readiness and operational capability – particularly around complex areas like evictions – highlights a clear need for more support.”

“What’s critical now is ensuring the industry has the clarity, tools, and guidance it needs to navigate the transition with confidence.”