Many letting agents are now planning to increase their fees due to the additional workload created by the Renters’ Rights Act, according to new research. However, for many landlords, this could become “the straw that breaks the camel’s back”, leading them to either manage properties themselves or exit the private rented sector (PRS) altogether.
A survey conducted by lettings technology firm Goodlord, involving 2,650 agents, landlords, and tenants, highlights growing discontent among landlords. Around 59% of landlords cited high fees and poor value for money as their biggest concerns, while only 6% reported being very satisfied with the service they receive.
Although agents may be considering fee increases, the findings suggest they have not built enough trust or goodwill with landlords to justify such changes. Introducing higher fees on top of existing dissatisfaction could push landlords to self-manage, switch agents, or leave the sector entirely.
Goodlord’s report, titled ‘Is Renting Broken?’, also reveals that 76% of agents are currently dealing with an “admin avalanche” in their daily operations. This growing pressure is not just internal—it is also affecting service quality.
From the tenant perspective, 52% say faster repairs are their top priority, while 46% feel highly frustrated by delays in maintenance responses. This shows that operational strain is directly impacting tenant satisfaction.
Tom Goodman, Managing Director B2B at Goodlord, stated that these challenges are not theoretical but represent the real, everyday struggles faced by agents, landlords, and tenants in a market experiencing unprecedented pressure.
