The Renters’ Rights Reform is here and so is your opportunity to get ahead
Ryan Doyle
If you work in lettings, you’ve probably heard the same question more than once over the last year:
“Is lettings still a good career now the Renters’ Rights Act has arrived?”
The short answer is yes, absolutely.
In fact, for ambitious letting agents, the changes introduced from 1 May 2026 could create an opportunity to become more valuable, more knowledgeable and ultimately better paid. But the agents who benefit most will be the ones who adapt.
What has changed in the letting’s market since the Renters Rights Reform?
The Renters’ Rights Act has fundamentally changed how the private rented sector operates.
Section 21 “no-fault” evictions are gone, most tenancies are now rolling rather than fixed-term, rent increases are generally limited to once a year, rental bidding is prohibited, and tenants have stronger protections around pets and discrimination.
For landlords, this means there is now more legislation to understand and more potential for getting things wrong.
And that is exactly where good letting agents become even more valuable.
How has the Letting Agent’s role changed since the Renters Rights Reform?
The traditional perception of a letting agent was sometimes simply: list the property, find a tenant and get the deal done.
Today, the best agents are becoming something much more valuable and viewed as a trusted adviser to landlords.
Landlords need someone who understands the legislation, knows how to minimise risk, communicates changes clearly and can help them make better decisions about their portfolios.
That creates a huge opportunity for agents who invest in their knowledge. The more you know, the more valuable you become. And the more valuable you become, the easier it is to justify higher fees, win instructions and progress into senior positions.
How to earn more as a Letting Agent in 2026?
The Renters’ Rights reforms should encourage agents to think beyond the basic transaction.
Become the person your landlord calls when they ask:
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“Can I increase the rent?”
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“What happens if I want to sell?”
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“What do I need to do if there are rent arrears?”
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“Can I refuse a tenant?”
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“What happens if a tenant wants a pet?”
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“Is my tenancy documentation compliant?”
You do need to know where to find the correct answer, understand the implications and communicate it confidently. That is a career skill and one that a landlord will pay for.
Top tips for performing as a letting agent in 2026
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If you want to progress faster, now is the time to specialise.
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Become exceptionally good at compliance.
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Become the expert on landlord legislation in your branch.
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Learn how to manage more complex portfolios.
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Understand rent reviews, possession processes and landlord strategy.
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Get comfortable talking about investment performance, not just property listings.
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And don't underestimate communication.
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An agent who can take complicated legislation and explain it to a landlord in simple, commercially sensible language is incredibly valuable.
Is a letting’s agent a lucrative career in 2026?
More than ever, if you're prepared to evolve.
The Renters’ Rights reforms haven't made letting agents irrelevant. They have arguably made knowledgeable letting agents more important.
The industry is moving away from simply being about transactions and towards professional advice, compliance, relationships and long-term portfolio management.
That means there is still plenty of room to build a great career - and potentially a much more rewarding one. So don't look at the Renters’ Rights Act and ask:
“How will this make my job harder?”
Ask: “How can I become so good at navigating these changes that landlords need me more than ever?”
Because the agents who embrace that mindset won't just survive the changes. They'll use them to get ahead.
For full salary data and hiring trends across Lettings, download the deverellsmith Salary Guide & Trends Report 2026.
About the Author
Ryan Doyle | Associate Director, Estate Agency
Ryan has over 8 years of experience working within estate agency recruitment and is well versed in covering all regions of London and the rest of the UK. Operating across all senior level hires within agency, Ryan prides himself on transparency, offering a strategic advisory service to both companies and candidates within the industry.
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