Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by Property Industry Eye. Read the original article for full details.

Government Launches Data Strategy to Monitor Private Rented Sector Reforms

The government has unveiled plans to expand the collection and use of data across the private rented sector. This initiative aims to measure the impact of the Renters’ Rights Act and monitor the effectiveness of recent reforms.

The new long-term data strategy will use information from existing surveys, as well as new datasets generated through the Private Rented Sector (PRS) Database and the PRS Ombudsman. The goal is to build a clearer picture of conditions in the rental market and assess whether reforms are improving outcomes for renters.

Key areas of scrutiny under the strategy include security of tenure, affordability, housing standards, access to housing, and the effectiveness of redress and enforcement systems. The government states that the enhanced data framework will help policymakers track how landlords, tenants, letting agents, and local authorities are adapting to the new regulatory landscape.

The strategy is part of a wider programme to overhaul the sector following the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act, described by the government as the most significant reform of the private rented sector in a generation. The data collected will support the evaluation of the Act, with findings to be published two and five years after implementation, estimated to be in May 2028 and May 2031.

The government’s vision is to establish an integrated PRS data system that provides robust, timely, and granular insight. Where appropriate, PRS data will be published to support transparency and enable stakeholders—including government, Parliament, and researchers—to better understand how the market is operating and how reforms are shaping behaviours and outcomes.

The strategy applies across England and is centred on tenants, landlords, letting agents, local authorities, and the wider redress and tribunal system. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) will continue to use established national surveys and may introduce new data collection if gaps are identified. The department will also work to ensure consistent definitions and concepts across key data sources, including the PRS Database, the English Housing Survey, and the English Private Landlord Survey.

This approach aims to provide clear, timely insight into how reforms affect people and institutions in the private rented sector, supporting accountability, policy refinement, and high-quality evaluation of the Renters’ Rights Act and associated reforms.