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14/7/25 8:13 pm
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The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 has officially become law in England following Royal Assent on 27 October 2025. However, the bulk of its provisions have not yet been activated. One confirmed milestone: from 27 December 2025, local housing authorities will gain enhanced investigatory powers under the Act. Because these powers involve requesting documents and entering premises, landlords need to be ready now, and this means digital readiness matters.
Why digital systems matter now
When the investigatory powers come into force, keeping physical paperwork alone may no longer be enough. Landlords will be required to respond to formal requests for information under the Act - for example from a local housing authority asking for certificates, tenancy records or proof of compliance. Digital systems make retrieval faster, audit trails clearer, and reduce the risk of missing deadlines or losing documents.
The Act also paves the way for a future national landlord/property register and a digital property portal, both of which are still to be commenced. When fully live, these systems will mean that landlords and letting agents must have up to date digital records for each property they manage.
Practical steps for landlords
• Digitise key compliance documents now: safety certificates (gas, electrical), energy performance certificates (EPCs), tenancy agreements
• Adopt a system for digitally storing and retrieving data: whether cloud based folders or a specialised property management platform - the aim is quick access rather than manual filing
• Review your current processes: if you rely entirely on paper or offline logs, consider moving to online platforms before the investigatory powers date to avoid being caught unprepared
• Track and document tenant communications: digital channels (email, portal message) help demonstrate responsiveness and professionalism should any compliance audit take place
• Track rent payments and receipts digitally: having accurate, easily retrievable records helps demonstrate compliance and protects you in disputes or audits
• Prepare for future digital obligations: even though the register/portal is not live yet, being ready from now means you’ll be ahead when they arrive
What this means for your business
For landlords who are already using digital tools, this phase is an opportunity to streamline operations and demonstrate compliance readiness. For those still using manual systems, this is a warning: the regulatory environment is shifting and the margin for error will shrink. The Act may not require full digital transformation overnight but investing in digital readiness now gives you a competitive and compliance based advantage.
“The Renters’ Rights Act may seem daunting, but it’s a real opportunity for Landlords who embrace the right digital tools to stay ahead of compliance and thrive’
Samuel Cope (pictured), Founder of August
In short: the law is in place. The enforcement mechanisms are starting to arrive. And digital systems are becoming less optional and more essential. If you haven’t already, now is the time to act.
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