Letting agents warned over deposit risks after Renters’ Rights Act changes
Original Article Summary
The changes introduced under the Renters’ Rights Act may appear relatively minor operationally, but they create a genuine compliance risk for agents
PropMatch Curated Analysis
Under Renters' Rights Act changes effective May 2026, letting agents may receive deposits before tenancy agreements are signed, but the 30-day deposit protection deadline runs from receipt — not tenancy start. Many agent systems are not configured for this, creating a widespread compliance risk across ~3 million protected deposits.
Investor Relevance
Landlords using letting agents to manage tenancies need to confirm their agent's systems and workflows are updated to handle the new deposit timing rules, or risk statutory breaches and potential financial penalties. This is particularly relevant as agents now control nearly 70% of all protected deposits in England.
Original Source:
Property Industry EyeStay Updated
Subscribe to our weekly briefings for curated property news and insights