This summer feels a little different for landlords across Richmond and the surrounding boroughs. The usual seasonal demand is still there, but it is sitting alongside new legislation, ongoing affordability pressures, and plenty of headlines about what might happen next.
You may have seen talk of possible rent controls or a short term freeze. Nothing has been confirmed, but it has been enough to make some landlords pause and wonder whether to act now or wait.
The key is not to get pulled too far by speculation. The lettings market is still active, and rental income is still being achieved. What has changed is the level of structure around it. A steady, informed approach tends to work better than reacting to every new headline.
With the Renters’ Rights Act in force, some of the early uncertainty has been replaced by real world application. While the full impact will continue to evolve, a few key changes are already shaping how landlords operate.
The move towards periodic tenancies is now a reality. Fixed term structures are becoming less central, with more agreements rolling forward on an ongoing basis. For landlords, this shifts the focus away from renewal points and towards managing relationships throughout the tenancy.
Rent increases are also now more clearly structured. The ability to review rent remains, but the process is more formal and transparent. Timing, communication and evidence now play a bigger role in how smoothly an increase is agreed.
Myles Moloney, Regional Director at Chase Buchanan, explains:
“Now the Act is live, the difference is not in whether landlords can adjust rent or manage their properties. It is in how carefully those decisions need to be handled.
If the approach is fair, consistent and well timed, the system still works effectively.”
The message is simple. The tools are still there. The way they are used matters more.
The Act has not removed control from landlords, but it has changed how decisions need to be handled.
Rent reviews, communication and timing all need to be clearer and more structured. If that is done properly, the system still works and properties continue to perform.
One of the most noticeable shifts since implementation is how conversations around rent are taking place.
Some landlords are finding that rent reviews take a little longer to agree. Tenants are more aware of their rights and are asking more questions, particularly where increases are proposed during ongoing tenancies.
At the same time, tenants are also showing a stronger preference for stability. Where a property is well managed and communication is clear, they are more likely to stay in place for longer periods.
This is particularly evident across Richmond, Twickenham, Teddington and surrounding boroughs, where tenant demand remains strong but expectations around clarity and fairness have increased.
Rather than slowing the market, this is shaping it into something more structured and predictable.
Even with legislative change, the underlying market dynamics have not shifted dramatically.
There is still strong demand for rental property across Richmond and nearby areas. Well located homes, particularly those close to transport links and good schools, continue to attract multiple applicants.
At the same time, some landlords have reconsidered their position in the market over the past couple of years, which has limited the flow of new rental stock.
This combination keeps demand high, but it also places more importance on accurate pricing and good management. Properties that are realistically priced and well-presented are still letting quickly. Those that are not tend to sit longer or require adjustment.
The Act has not changed demand. It has simply made precision more important.
With greater security now embedded in legislation, many are choosing to stay longer where the experience works for them. That includes not just the property itself, but how responsive and consistent the landlord or managing agent is.
This shift has a direct impact on rental income over time. A slightly lower rent with a long term, reliable tenant can often outperform a higher rent that leads to turnover, voids and re marketing costs.
Myles Moloney puts it simply:
“The real value now is consistency. If a tenant feels listened to and the property is well managed, they are far more likely to stay. That stability is what protects income over the long term. In this environment, the day-to-day detail matters more. Communication, maintenance and timing all play a part in how stable that income becomes.”
Consistency is where the value sits now.
A reliable tenant who stays longer will often deliver better overall income than pushing for the highest possible rent and risking voids.
In this market, good management and clear communication are what protect that income over time.
Now that the Act is in place, the lettings market feels more settled in its direction.
Rental growth is still happening, but it is more measured. Tenants are more engaged in conversations around pricing, and agreements can take longer to finalise where expectations do not immediately align.
That said, well positioned properties are still letting quickly. In Richmond and the surrounding boroughs, demand remains consistent, particularly for homes that are clean, well-presented and realistically priced.
Void periods are generally low where landlords are aligned with current conditions. The difference is that there is less room for overestimating value or relying on previous market peaks.
With the Act now active, the focus shifts from understanding the changes to working effectively within them.
The market is moving on real time comparables. Decisions based on outdated assumptions are less likely to be accepted by tenants.
Longer term tenants can provide more consistent income, even if headline rent is slightly lower.
Rent reviews now require more structure. Getting the timing right and communicating clearly reduces friction.
The detail matters more. Quick responses, clear updates and well-maintained properties all support stronger tenant relationships.
The lettings market is not declining. It is adjusting.
Opportunities are still there, supported by strong demand, but they sit alongside clearer rules and a more considered tenant base. Landlords who stay informed and plan ahead are generally seeing the best results.
At Chase Buchanan, we keep it straightforward. Clear advice, based on what is actually happening in the market.
Across Richmond and the surrounding boroughs, we stay close to both landlords and tenants. That means better communication, quicker decisions and more control over the outcome.
In a market like this, success is not about reacting to headlines. It is about understanding the detail, staying consistent and getting the basics right.