Young renters most uncertain about their rights as Renter’s Rights Act begins

• New consumer research from Rightmove reveals that whilst awareness is high for the Renters’ Right Act, many renters still feel uncertain about what the rules mean for them: 

• 73% of renters are aware of the Renters’ Right Act changes, yet 37% say they are not confident that they understand the rule changes 

• The research shows uncertainty is particularly pronounced among younger renters aged 18-34 

• More than a third (35%) of this age group say they are not confident in their understanding of their rights, while many describe their experience of renting as frustration (39%), uncertain (38%) or stressful (31%) 

• Almost half (47%) of younger renters say they have previously chosen not to report an issue in a rental property, as it is ‘too much of a hassle’ (53%) 

• A third (34%) of all renters say they have avoided raising a problem, most commonly because they were worried it might affect their tenancy (41%), felt the issue wouldn’t be fixed (37%), or felt it would cause trouble (35%) 

• The findings come as Rightmove’s latest Rental Trends Tracker shows how the 2026 market at the start of the year entered a more balanced position, with improved supply and demand conditions and no immediate changes to market dynamics ahead of the legislation taking effect 

• Rightmove has launched a new hub on its website to help support renters with clear, practical guidance around what the new rules could mean for them, ensuring confidence builds alongside a more balanced rental market 

 

As the Renters’ Rights Act comes into effect this week, new consumer research from Rightmove, the UK’s largest property platform, reveals that while awareness of the upcoming rental laws is high, many renters still lack confidence in understanding what the new rules mean for them. 

 

The survey of 1,087 renters highlights a clear gap between awareness and understanding. Nearly three quarters (73%) say they were already aware that rental laws were set to change, yet more than a third (37%) say they are not confident they fully understand their rights as the new rules bed in. 

 

Younger renters feel the least confident 

 

The research shows uncertainty is particularly pronounced among young renters aged 18–34. More than a third (35%) of renters in this age group say they are not confident in their understanding of their rights, while many describe their experience of renting as uncertain (38%) or stressful (31%). 

 

Almost half (47%) of younger renters say they have previously chosen not to report an issue in a rental property, with the highest reason being because it felt like ‘too much hassle’ (47%).  

 

More broadly, a third (34%) of all renters say they have avoided raising a problem, most commonly because they were worried it might affect their tenancy (41%), felt the issue wouldn’t be fixed (37%), or felt it would cause trouble (35%). 

 

Despite these concerns, renters are broadly positive about the principle of stronger protections. Over a third (38%) of renters say stronger protection against being asked to leave without reason would make them more likely to stay longer in their current home, while just 1% say it would make them less likely to stay. 

Rental market remains stable as changes take effect 

 

Rightmove’s latest rental market trends data shows no major signs of disruption ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act coming into effect this week. The total number of available homes to rent is now 3% higher than a year ago and at its highest level for this time of year since 2021, although there has been no surge in newly listed rental properties. 

 

The average rental home now receives eight enquiries, down from 11 a year ago and 29 at the peak of competition in 2022, indicating a continued easing in tenant competition. More than a quarter (26%) of rental listings saw a price reduction from the originally listed price, the highest proportion recorded for this time of year since Rightmove began tracking this metric in 2012. 

 

Supporting renters through the changes 

 

Rightmove has launched a new hub on its website to help support renters with clear, practical guidance around what the new rules could mean for them, ensuring confidence builds alongside a more balanced rental market. 

 

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/guides/renter/renters-rights-act/ 

 

The hub will provide clear, practical guidance on the key changes affecting renters – from tenancy agreements and rent increases to no-fault evictions and pet policies. The online resource will help renters understand what is changing, what is staying the same and what it means for them. 

 

Colleen Babcock, property expert at Rightmove says: “As the Renters’ Rights Act comes into effect, this research highlights a clear gap between awareness and understanding, particularly among younger renters. 

 

“While many renters know changes are coming, a significant number are still unsure what the new rules mean for them in practice. At the same time, our rental market data shows the market entering a more balanced position, making it especially important that renters, landlords and agents feel confident and informed as the new changes beds in.” 

 

ENDS 

 

Notes to Editors 

 

• Consumer research conducted by The Living Room from 16th – 30th March 2026, with 1,087 respondents. The Living Room is Rightmove’s consumer research panel of over 18,000 home-movers  

 

About Rightmove 

• Rightmove has the UK’s largest selection of properties for sale and to rent, adds more listings than anyone else 

• Latest view from Comscore is over 80% of all time spent on property portals is on Rightmove, and latest view from SimilarWeb is over 70% of time spent on property portals in the UK is on Rightmove (two datasets used across the industry to track time spent on portals) 

• Rightmove’s vision is to give everyone the belief that they can make their move by giving people the best place to turn and return to for access to tools and expertise to make it happen 

• Users can search Rightmove for residential resale, new homes, rentals, built for rent, commercial property and overseas properties. Rightmove also provide an extensive range of tools and information assisting their home moving journey, including but not limited to: local sold prices, online property valuation, agent visit requests, moving guides, mortgage in principle certification, renovation calculator, extension explorer, home services for renters like utilities, media and insurance, school information, moving guides and sustainability information 

• Partners (Rightmove’s customers) include the following key groups: estate agents, letting agents, new homes developers, rental operators, commercial property operators, overseas property agents, financial services operators and home services providers for insurance, utilities and media 

• Using the UK’s largest housing datasets, we issue a number of regular reports to track housing market indicators: our monthly House Price Index (established 2002), quarterly Rental Trends Tracker (established 2015), weekly Mortgage Rates Tracker (established 2023) and quarterly Commercial Insights Tracker (established 2024). Historical data is available on request 

• Founded in 2000, Rightmove listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2006 and is a member of the FTSE 100 index