5 Old Landlord Habits That Could Now Put You at Risk
The Renters’ Rights Act has changed the way landlords need to manage rental properties.
For many landlords, the biggest risk is not doing something deliberately wrong. It is carrying on with old habits that no longer fit the new rules.
When you have managed a property in the same way for years, it is easy to assume your documents, processes and decisions are still up to date. But under the new legislation, even small mistakes can create problems.
Here are five old landlord habits that could now put you at risk.
1. Reusing old tenancy documents without checking them
Many landlords have a tenancy agreement, letter template or notice they have used for years. It may have worked perfectly well before. But that does not mean it is still right today.
The Renters’ Rights Act has changed the way tenancies work, so older documents may now contain wording, dates or assumptions that no longer apply.
The risk is not just the document itself. It is what happens when you rely on it to make decisions. If the paperwork is out of date, the process that follows could be too.
Before using any old template again, check that it reflects the current rules. If you are not sure, get it reviewed.
2. Handling rent changes informally
Rent has often been handled through a quick conversation, email or agreement between landlord and tenant. That kind of informal approach can now create risk.
Landlords need to be careful about how rent is advertised, discussed, increased and recorded. This includes avoiding anything that could look like rental bidding, being clear about the advertised rent, and following the correct process when increasing rent.
A friendly conversation is fine. But when money, notice periods and legal responsibilities are involved, you need a clear paper trail.
If your rent process still feels informal, now is the time to tighten it up.
3. Saying “no pets” as a default response
A blanket “no pets” approach is another old habit landlords need to rethink.
That does not mean every pet request has to be accepted. But landlords now need to consider requests properly and respond fairly. A refusal should be based on a valid reason, not a standard answer that is used every time.
It is also important to keep a record of the request, your decision and the reason behind it.
A simple process can make all the difference. It shows that you have considered the request properly and helps protect you if the decision is ever questioned.
4. Using outdated wording in property adverts
Old advert wording can cause problems, especially if it appears to exclude certain renters.
Phrases that may once have felt harmless could now create compliance issues. This applies to the advert itself, but also to how enquiries are handled and how applicants are filtered.
The safest approach is to keep marketing clear, neutral and focused on the property. Avoid blanket statements about who the property is or is not suitable for. Use fair, consistent criteria when reviewing enquiries.
Your advert is often the first step in the letting process. If that first step is not compliant, it can affect everything that follows.
5. Keeping compliance in your head instead of in writing
Many landlords know they have done the right thing. The problem is proving it.
If your records are spread across emails, text messages, old folders and memory, it can be difficult to show what happened and when. That matters more than ever.
You should be able to find key documents and decisions quickly. This might include tenancy paperwork, rent increase records, tenant communications, repair updates, pet requests, inspection notes and copies of notices.
Good records do not need to be complicated. But they do need to be clear, dated and easy to access.
If someone asked you to prove your property was compliant tomorrow, would you have everything ready?
Small habits can lead to serious consequences
Compliance risks often come from everyday processes. An old template. A casual rent conversation. A quick “no” to a tenant request. A missing record.
On their own, these may seem minor. But under the Renters’ Rights Act, small mistakes can carry serious consequences, with fines for non-compliance reaching up to £40,000.
The good news is that these risks can often be spotted before they become bigger problems.
Get your FREE Renters’ Rights Act Compliance Check
If any of these habits sound familiar, now is the time to check where you stand.
Andrews can help you review your current approach, identify potential gaps and understand what needs attention. With the right support behind you, compliance does not need to feel overwhelming.
Get your FREE Renters’ Rights Act Compliance Check today and make sure your rental property is on the right track.
