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

Landlord and Tenant Searches Surge Ahead of Renters’ Rights Act

Searches related to the Renters’ Rights Act increased significantly in the months leading up to the Act’s enforcement on 1 May, according to analysis by Coventry for intermediaries. Google trends data showed a 600% rise in searches for ‘renters rights act 2026’ between 1 January and 1 May.

Coventry for intermediaries reported that the search term ‘renters rights act 2026’ reached a peak interest score of 100, the highest level of relative popularity during the period. The analysis suggests that both landlords and tenants were seeking to understand the new changes and how they would be affected by the Act.

The most dramatic increase was seen in searches for ‘renters rights information sheet’, which rose by 2250% from the preceding period. This information sheet is a legal requirement, and landlords who fail to issue it to tenants risk a fine of up to £7,000. Coventry’s analysis noted that search interest in this term had not yet peaked by 1 May, indicating that landlords were still seeking information as the deadline approached.

Other notable increases included a 190% rise in searches for ‘what is a tenancy agreement’ and a 110% rise for ‘assured tenancy’. There was also a 70% increase in searches for ‘limited company’, suggesting some landlords are considering changes to how they manage their property portfolios in response to regulation.

These trends highlight the importance for letting agents and inventory clerks to stay informed about legal requirements and to ensure that landlords are aware of their obligations under the Renters’ Rights Act, particularly regarding the distribution of the required information sheet to tenants.