Is Your Letting Agent Clueless About the Renters Reform Bill? 5 Red Flags

The Renters Reform Bill is on its way — and it’s changing everything about how landlords manage tenancies.

If your letting agent isn’t preparing for it now, you could be the one footing the bill later. Lost possession rights, legal costs, fines, and longer voids are just the start.

At NUVO Lettings, we manage our own properties and those of landlords across Crewe, Stoke-on-Trent, and Cheshire — and we’ve already adjusted our systems for the incoming changes.

So, how do you know if your current agent is asleep at the wheel?

Here are five red flags that your letting agent is not ready for the RRB — and what you can do about it.

1. They Haven’t Mentioned the RRB to You at All

This one’s a biggie. If your letting agent hasn’t even brought up the Renters Reform Bill in emails, newsletters or during renewal discussions — they’re either unaware or ignoring it.

That’s a serious risk to you as a landlord. You’re trusting them to keep your investment protected, not just collect rent.

What to look for: Ask them directly: “What changes have you made to prepare for the Renters Reform Bill?” If they stumble or waffle, that tells you everything.

2. They’re Still Using Outdated Tenancy Agreements

The RRB will eliminate fixed-term tenancies and Section 21 notices. Your agent should already be updating agreements to prepare for:

• Periodic tenancies becoming standard

• Clear clauses that support Section 8 grounds

• Proper documentation of move-in compliance

If they’re still reusing a 2018 template, you’re at risk.

What to ask: “Is my tenancy agreement RRB-proof?” If they can’t explain what that means — it’s time to get a second opinion.

3. They Give Vague or Contradictory Legal Advice

We’ve heard it all:

• “You can still use Section 21 for now, don’t worry about it.”

• “The bill might not happen, let’s wait and see.”

• “It’ll all be fine, we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”

These aren’t strategies. They’re excuses. With this much legal change ahead, your agent should be proactively guiding you — not shrugging it off.

What you want to hear: Specific actions they’re taking, changes to documentation, and evidence of RRB training.

4. Their Void Rates Are Creeping Up (But They Blame the Market)

Tenant demand in Crewe and Stoke is still healthy. If your property is sitting empty for weeks and your agent blames the market — dig deeper.

Often it’s not the market, it’s:

• Poor listing quality

• Slow response times

• Weak tenant screening

• No urgency in remarketing

We fill most HMO rooms within 7–10 days — even in quieter months — because our systems are built around speed and accuracy.

What to ask: “What’s your current average void period for similar properties?” If they don’t know, they’re not tracking the metrics that matter.

5. They Offer No Help with Strategy — Just Admin

A great letting agent doesn’t just handle paperwork. They advise you on:

• When to raise rent

• Whether to switch to HMO

• Which upgrades will increase ROI

• How to legally regain possession

• How to protect yourself from future regulation

If your current agent just sends generic statements and asks you to approve maintenance costs, you’re not getting full value.

What to do: Find an agent who thinks like a landlord. Better yet — is a landlord.

Why NUVO Might Be a Better Fit

We’re not just a lettings agency — we’re investors too. We manage our own portfolio across Cheshire and Staffordshire and treat every landlord’s property like it’s our own.

We’ve already adapted our systems, templates and processes for the RRB — so our landlords are prepared, not panicked.

Thinking of Switching Agents? Let’s Make It Easy.

📞 Book a free landlord call — no pressure, no nonsense

📧 Or send us your current agent’s contract and we’ll review your exit options

Low-cost doesn’t have to mean low-support. Choose an agent who’s ready for what’s next — not stuck in the past.