When it comes to deposit disputes in the private rental sector, one thing matters above all else: evidence. Not opinion. Not memory. And certainly not assumptions. What matters is time stamped, detailed and impartial documentation that shows exactly what condition a property was in at the start and end of a tenancy. Propertymark Industry Supplier, Inventory Hive, explains why inventory reports matter so much, what makes them stand up to scrutiny, and what can cause them to fall apart in front of a deposit adjudicator.

The UK Government has published the final version of the document, which sets out key changes for tenants ahead of reforms coming into force on 1 May 2026. Letting agents and landlords now have a clear legal duty to provide this document to relevant tenants, with a strict 31 May 2026 deadline and financial penalties for non-compliance.

The Renters’ Rights Act directly addresses rental discrimination practices, and the UK and Scottish governments have worked closely to extend these protections to Scotland. The new rules make it illegal for landlords and letting agents to disadvantage prospective or existing tenants because they have children or receive benefits.

The evidence that underpins the policy has been criticised by the Regulatory Policy Committee as not fit for purpose, with concerns raised about whether it can genuinely drive improvements in housing quality across the private rented sector (PRS). As the UK Government considers extending and reforming the DHS, it is vital that policymakers recognise a simple truth: standards alone will not improve homes unless they are enforceable, understood and supported by a professional, regulated sector.

With two months to go until the first changes take effect, letting agents should now be focused on operational readiness. Continuing our support for members, our latest webinar in a long series addressed the issues most frequently raised by agents. These included written information requirements, payment processes, rent increases, possession grounds and internal systems. With early planning, clear documentation and robust processes, agents can approach 1 May 2026 with confidence.

Our response to the London Assembly Housing Committee’s call for evidence highlights that the success of rental reform in London will depend not only on legislative change, but on whether court capacity, enforcement structures, and market realities are aligned to support it, a position that was echoed by a panel of industry experts in a live evidence session in City Hall on 9 February 2026.

Experts Brian Moran, Advisory Panel Member (Scotland) and Angela Davey, Advisory Panel Member and Regional Executive (Wales), who have first hand experience of similar reforms to the Renters’ Rights Act, shared practical lessons in our webinar with a core message of reassurance. Practical lessons on how Scotland and Wales have managed, on what does and doesn’t work, and where agents should focus their efforts now were imparted, as well as emphasising how essential early preparation, good communication, and robust processes are, so that letting agents can continue to support landlords and tenants while adapting to the new regulatory landscape.

The Assured Tenancies (Private Rented Sector) (Written Statement of Terms, etc. and Information Sheet) (England) Regulations 2026 have been published in draft by the UK Government. We have engaged with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to provide feedback on the regulations, which currently fail to acknowledge common real-world scenarios, such as overseas property owners and unique arrangements for vulnerable tenants or tenants with a disability.

The private rented sector (PRS) is being reshaped by changing motivations and new financial pressures, which help explain the structural changes behind shrinking stock levels, higher churn, and new expectations around compliance and profitability. For agents, these insights help develop and position services to effectively address the needs of their clients in a shifting market.

Propertymark has worked tirelessly to ensure members’ voices are heard, practical concerns are addressed, and reforms are workable as the UK and devolved governments have pushed ahead with major legislative changes. Long-standing challenges around supply, affordability and standards have remained firmly in focus, and we will continue to scrutinise legislation, challenge unclear proposals and provide practical guidance to support members as reforms move from policy into practice across the UK.

The UK Government has confirmed that the first phase of reforms will take effect on 1 May 2026, marking the most significant shift to tenancy law in a generation. From this date, all existing and new private tenancies in England will move onto the new system. Propertymark has consistently pressed for sufficient lead-in time to allow agents and landlords to prepare. With a firm date now announced, the sector can begin making practical plans.

Timothy Douglas, Propertymark’s Head of Policy and Campaigns, took the views and concerns of members directly to MPs as he gave evidence to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee inquiry into housing conditions in England on 4 November 2025. Douglas highlighted the ongoing work of professional agents in driving up standards but warned that progress under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 depends on clarity from the UK Government, realistic timelines, and a fair regulatory framework.

The Act equips Local Housing Authorities (LHAs) with stronger rights to investigate whether a landlord or letting agent has breached certain housing laws – measures which apply to letting of private rented accommodation, and actions that may involve illegal eviction, poor standards, and non-compliance.