How the Renters Rights Bill could impact landlords and why smart water management matters

The upcoming Renters Rights Bill is set to reshape the private rented sector, giving tenants stronger protections and placing more responsibility on landlords to provide safe, well-maintained homes.

While this brings new challenges, it also creates an opportunity for landlords to show professionalism, protect their investments, and build stronger relationships with tenants.

One area that’s often overlooked is water management. Issues such as leaks, damp, and mould can quickly become compliance risks – especially as new legislation like Awaab’s Law sets stricter timeframes for fixing serious hazards.

This article explores four ways smart water management can help landlords stay compliant, reduce maintenance costs, and protect tenants’ health by preventing problems before they become serious.

1. Tenant safety and living standards

The Bill puts greater emphasis on the quality and safety of rented homes. Councils will have stronger powers to act where standards fall short, and tenants will have clearer routes to raise concerns. It will also extend Awaab’s Law to the private rented sector, setting legal timeframes for landlords to fix serious hazards such as damp and mould.

Water-related issues are one of the most common causes of these problems. Undiscovered leaks can lead to persistent damp, mould growth and structural damage that compromise tenant health and trigger enforcement action.

Smart water management technology can help landlords stay ahead by detecting leaks early, preventing the conditions that cause mould and maintaining healthier living environments. Systems that automatically shut off water when a problem is detected provide peace of mind for both landlords and tenants.

2. Financial pressure and compliance costs

With “no fault” evictions set to end and more regulatory checks expected, landlords will face tighter margins and more scrutiny over property upkeep.

Water damage is one of the most expensive maintenance issues to fix. A single burst pipe can lead to thousands in repair costs, loss of rent and disputes with insurers.

Using monitoring systems that track water flow in real time allows landlords to spot unusual usage patterns, take action quickly and avoid major disruption. Prevention is nearly always cheaper than repair.

3. Professionalisation of the rental sectors

The Bill signals a wider shift toward higher standards and more professional property management. Tenants will expect their landlords to be responsive, transparent and proactive.

Smart technology is already becoming part of what “good management” looks like. From leak detection to energy monitoring and predictive maintenance tools, data-driven systems are helping landlords operate more efficiently and build trust with tenants.

4. Preparing for winter

Frozen pipes and leaks are a major cause of property damage in colder months, particularly in vacant or short-term let properties. But beyond repair costs, winter water issues can also affect tenant health and safety – leading to damp, mould, or loss of heating and hot water.

Under new expectations set out in the Renters Rights Bill and Awaab’s Law, landlords must act quickly to prevent or fix hazards that could make a home unsafe. Smart water management systems can help by detecting when pipes are at risk of freezing or when unusual water flow occurs, allowing landlords to take action before damage or health risks develop.

For practical guidance on preventing cold-weather damage, see our article on how to protect your property from frozen pipes.

Some systems also include a “vacant property” mode, reducing the risk of water escaping when tenants or guests are away – keeping homes safe, compliant, and ready for winter.

How smart water management helps landlords stay ahead

As the rental market becomes more regulated and competitive, landlords who adopt proactive maintenance practices will be better placed to protect their properties, tenants and income.

Smart water management technology can be a simple but powerful part of that toolkit: reducing waste, preventing damage and demonstrating a commitment to high standards.

At Watergate, we help landlords take control of their water systems with intelligent monitoring and automatic shut-off solutions that make compliance easier and properties safer. Installing Watergate demonstrates that you take property management seriously. It’s a visible commitment to maintaining safe, sustainable homes and to treating tenants fairly.