A New Academic Year: Lessons for the Private Rented Sector
September marks the beginning of a new academic year, bringing with it structure, renewal, and a sense of preparation. Pupils arrive with timetables, teachers with lesson plans, and educational establishments with strategies designed to ensure success.
The Private Rented Sector (PRS) can draw strong parallels with this process – particularly as it prepares for the most significant legislative reform in decades: the Renters’ Rights Act.
With the abolition of Section 21, a new type of tenancy, and strengthened compliance, landlords and letting agents cannot afford to be reactive. As with education, success will depend on foresight, organisation, and adapting.
Planning Ahead - 8th September 2025 House of Commons will announce change
Preparation is key. A student without the right books is immediately at a disadvantage. Likewise, landlords and letting agents who fail to plan for the Renters’ Rights Bill risk finding themselves at risk.
Key steps include:
Updating contracts and policies: Tenancy agreements & terms of bsuiness must reflect forthcoming statutory changes. Policies around rent increases, service of notice, and property management require updating.
Investing in training: Letting agents, landlords, and property managers must stay informed. Training and ongoing development will ensure compliance and confidence.
Adapting to Change
Guidance from the government and industry bodies will evolve, and interpretations of the law will be refined through practice and in the future, case law. Landlords and letting agents must therefore remain flexible and ready to adjust.
For letting agents, change will be particularly important in maintaining trust and efficiency. Those who invest in strong systems, comprehensive staff training, and communication will be best placed to navigate what comes next.
Building Resilience: Preparing for the Future
Education is not just about short-term results; it equips individuals for long-term success. To build resilience and strengthen professionalism, landlords and letting agents should:
Conduct compliance checks ensuring that landlords are compliant ready
Strengthen record-keeping systems, providing evidence for relying on the Grounds of Section 8
Enhance landlord communication, setting clear objectives from the outset.
These practices not only reduce risk but also foster trust, reputation, and long-term sustainability.
A New Term for the PRS
Just as students approach a new school year, the PRS must approach the Renters’ Rights Act with confidence, and an appetite for embracing change.
The Renters’ Rights Act is not simply a challenge, it is also an opportunity for professionals to strengthen landlord–tenant relationships, and to ensure the sector is robust enough for the future.
The academic year teaches us that discipline, preparation, and adaptability are the hallmarks of success. For landlords and letting agents, the message is equally clear: those who plan, adapt, and invest in professional development will not only comply with the Renters’ Rights Act but thrive in the years ahead.