Lettings agents are being warned to prioritise data resilience in the new landscape created by the Renters Rights Act.
The Act brings in new rules covering evictions, rent increases, anti-discrimination measures, open-ended tenancies and information sheets which must be served to existing tenants.
It also strengthens the powers of local authorities to enforce housing law, increasing the likelihood of enforcement action and the importance of evidence held by agents.
Steve Richmond – UK and Ireland general manager at Reapit – says regulators are now scrutinising timelines, records and evidence as part of beefed-up enforcement.
And he claims this introduces “a real risk” for agents who are looking to change software, as being able to prove compliance with historic tenancy records, audit trails and action logs matter.
He says: “Liability doesn’t vanish when a system changes, and newer platforms don’t always allow for the depth of data that established systems do.
“Agents need to partner with PropTech providers that give them confidence. The changes we’ve made to Reapit support clear audit trails, reliable reporting and continuity of data across tenancy changes that are now fundamental parts of running an agency.”
Local authorities across England have received £60m in funding to strengthen enforcement of housing law, alongside expanded investigatory powers and higher financial penalties.
Powers include the ability to enter a business property to seize documents and ask people or organisations for information relating to tenancies.
Reapit says the scale of legislative change has prompted some agents to review their technology platforms, but it claims that system change itself is now a potential risk point.
A statement from the firm says: “When historic data is fragmented, overwritten or lost during migration, gaps may only emerge when records are requested by a local authority or tribunal. This creates a significant business risk as agencies could still be held liable if they cannot prove compliance.”
Offences that took place before the Act can also be investigated and assessed under the previous legal framework, as outlined in Regulation 11 of the Renters Rights Act 2025 (Commencement and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2026.
As a result, data portability and long‑term accessibility are crucial for agents looking to change systems.
