- Risks and opportunities likely to arise as major regulatory change beds in
- Housing Hand ready to support accommodation providers to navigate new market conditions, with raft of services ready to launch
- Innovative firm will also be supporting tenants with independent advice and expanded product offering
UK rental services provider Housing Hand is advising accommodation providers to look for the opportunities that the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act will create. The Act’s initial measures kick in from 1 May 2026, with updated tenancy agreements required for all new tenancies from that point. Accommodation providers won’t be able to ask for more than one month’s rent in advance, not accept offers above a property’s advertised rent. They will also not be allowed to discriminate against families with children or benefit claimants, as well as having to consider all pet requests properly.
For existing tenancies, landlords will have to provide a new ‘Information Sheet’ to all tenants, follow a new process for rent increases and only use Section 8 for evictions (instead of Section 21). A second raft of measures will follow later in 2026.
Housing Hand is encouraging all those providing rental homes to identify the new opportunities to which this gives rise. Managing Director Graham Hayward explains:
“The rental market faces a year of disruption in 2026. The major regulatory change means accommodation providers of all types need to think about their models and how to embrace the opportunities that the Renters’ Rights Act will give rise to. It’s something for which we’ve been preparing for a long time here at Housing Hand, with the breadth of opportunity inspiring new services that are extensions of how the market needs to manage its new risks.”
Housing Hand will be launching a range of new services in 2026, supporting accommodation providers to pursue emerging opportunities while helping renters understand their rights in relation to different accommodation types, through independent expertise and advice.
One of the major changes during 2026 is that accommodation providers will need to change their leasing documents to fit the new model of renting. Housing Hand will work closely with providers on protecting their rental income throughout this period of change, with its guarantor service shaped to deliver peace of mind for renters and providers alike. Already available in three different forms, an innovative new guarantor offering will be revealed in the New Year.
“Looking forward, the role of the guarantor doesn’t fundamentally shift but landlords will need different levels of cover to suit their different risk profiles. Ultimately, both landlords and tenants will want certainty and clarity over what happens if the tenant can’t pay their rent or damages the property in some way. We’re rolling out a new product in early 2026 to help provide this, supporting all parties to manage the rental process smoothly.”
James Maguire, Sales and Business Development Director, Housing Hand
The news of new services follows Housing Hand’s launch of the one-of-a-kind A-Void™ product earlier this year. The solution covers the cost of void periods for up to three months at 50% of the guaranteed rent, where landlords rent to tenants using Housing Hand as their guarantor and have served a Ground 4a notice. It supports accommodation providers trying to align new rental processes and restrictions with the start of the academic year, to ensure much-needed rental homes remain available to students.
For renters, Housing Hand will offer independent advice on the nuances of renting in Build to Rent homes, purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), university halls and other types of property. This will supplement the firm’s recently launched digital health and wellbeing service, which is freely available to any renter who uses Housing Hand as their guarantor and which includes access to a wide range of advice, as well as physical and mental health services. Housing Hand will also work with agents helping international students find homes in the UK, as they too will need to understand and navigate the new market nuances with confidence.
“Disruption will certainly be felt across the rental market in 2026. We don’t expect things to start playing out fully until 2027 onwards, particularly in relation to accommodation providers who rent to students. The start of the 2027/28 academic year will be the real start of the ‘new normal’ in terms of feeling the impact of the Renters’ Rights Act. We’re looking ahead to that and helping accommodation providers get there while making the most of the opportunities that arise along the way.”
Jeremy Robinson, Group Founder and CEO, Housing Hand
