As the Labour party conference gets underway this week, the private rented sector (PRS) is calling for the next government to avoid implementing sweeping reforms without clear, practical guidance.

Allison Thompson, National Lettings Managing Director at LRG, warned politicians “not to leave the private rented sector behind.” She has outlined a critical roadmap for success, focusing on three major areas of legislative change: the Renters’ Rights Bill, the Decent Homes Standard (DHS), and the EPC energy efficiency targets.

The Renters’ Rights Bill: Clarity is Key for Transition

The Renters’ Rights Bill is set to revolutionize the sector by ending Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions, moving all tenancies to periodic agreements, and introducing a Private Rented Sector Ombudsman and a National Property Portal.

Ms. Thompson stresses that while these are positive steps, their success hinges entirely on implementation. The sector needs a carefully phased transition to avoid chaos:

• Court Readiness: Removing Section 21 before court systems are robust risks leaving serious cases waiting longer to be heard. The government must commit to clear targets for listing times and expand the use of housing-specific court lists.
• Periodic Tenancies: The switch to rolling tenancies must be supported by fixed dates and standardised terms to prevent mass confusion.
• Ombudsman & Portal: To ensure mass adoption, the new ombudsman and property portal must be simple to use. LRG supports a single national data standard and file format, which would allow agents to bulk upload portfolios easily.

Decent Homes Standard: A Realistic Rollout

Landlords support the introduction of a Decent Homes Standard in the PRS, but demand that its application is both practical to follow and consistent to enforce. With the current version being vague and leading to confusion, Ms. Thompson advises the government to be realistic about the timeline for necessary repair works.

The focus should be on tackling the highest risks in older homes, such as damp, mould, poor insulation, and outdated facilities.  “The PRS must not be left behind when it comes to time-bound repairs,” Ms. Thompson says. “But the rollout must be realistic. Align any new duties with the wider rental reform timeline, and give landlords enough time to plan, budget and complete works properly.”

EPC Targets: Don’t Penalise Good Landlords

Regarding the proposed, but not yet law, EPC C targets for all rental properties by 2030, LRG demands immediate clarity.

While the sector supports improving energy efficiency, the approach must not penalise good landlords who face physical or legal barriers to compliance.

Ms. Thompson calls for:

• A single national cost cap for required works.
• A simple exemption process for properties where full compliance is not physically achievable (e.g., in flats where landlords are limited by lease terms or building fabric).
• Accessible financial support specifically tailored for common PRS improvements like loft insulation and boiler upgrades.

“With the right structure, we can deliver warmer, greener homes without reducing rental supply,” she concludes. The key message is clear: landlords are ready for reform, but they need a government willing to provide a usable blueprint for change.