When the government unveiled the Renters’ Rights Bill last autumn, it promised a new era of fairness for tenants: an end to no-fault evictions, stronger protections against unfair rent hikes, and more power to challenge landlords. But fresh figures suggest that, for many renters, the cost of living may already be climbing in anticipation of those reforms.
Research from comparison site Go Compare reveals that more than half of tenants — some 53% — have seen their rents increase since the legislation was first announced in September 2024. That marks a sharp escalation from earlier years: in 2022, just one in five renters reported a rise, rising to a third in 2023 before the latest surge.
The impact is significant. An estimated 2.5 million households are now paying higher rents, with average increases of 4% adding £58 a month to bills. Collectively, tenants are paying an extra £147 million each month compared to a year ago.
“These latest figures indicate that the Renters’ Rights Bill could have an unwanted side effect on tenants, more of whom seem to be dealing with rent rises since the announcement,” says Nathan Blackler, Go Compare’s home insurance expert.
The steepest rises have been seen in one-bedroom properties, where costs have jumped by 4.8%, adding £52 to the average monthly rent. Flats and maisonettes follow closely at 4.7% (an extra £62), while detached homes have seen a more modest increase of 3.6% (£54).
Behind the numbers lies a clear pattern: landlords appear to be moving quickly to secure higher returns before the new law makes it easier for tenants to contest rent increases. The data also points to a rise in so-called “accelerated possession orders” — fast-tracked eviction cases — alongside a 10% increase in bailiff-led repossessions.
For tenants, the developments highlight the uneasy transition period between policy announcement and implementation. The Renters’ Rights Bill is widely seen as a landmark reform, but with Royal Assent not expected until the autumn, the protections it promises remain out of reach.
Critics warn that the very act of announcing the legislation may have given landlords the incentive — and the time — to act first. For now, renters across the country are footing the bill.