Supported living continues to transform the UK's housing landscape, providing safe, person-centred accommodation for individuals who need varying levels of care and support. It's an essential model that promotes independence, dignity, and social inclusion while offering stable, long-term investment opportunities for property owners.

With new investigatory powers under the Renters' Rights Act taking effect on 27 December 2025, it's important for supported living landlords and investors to understand how these measures may affect compliance and operations. While the full tenancy reforms don't commence until May 2026, these initial enforcement provisions apply to privately rented housing, which may include certain supported living arrangements depending on their tenancy structure and whether they fall under social housing provisions.

What’s Changing Under the Renters’ Rights Act

The Renters’ Rights Act introduces a stronger framework for transparency and accountability in the private rented sector. The first phase, starting this December, gives Local Housing Authorities (LHAs) enhanced powers to investigate breaches of housing law.

These measures apply to all forms of privately rented housing, including supported living where standard tenancy or licence agreements are used.

Key updates include:

• Greater investigatory powers: LHAs can now request detailed information from landlords, agents, or anyone connected to a property within the last 12 months.
• Entry rights: LHAs may enter business or residential premises (with notice or a warrant) to investigate suspected breaches.
• Stronger oversight: LHAs can verify that letting agents belong to approved Client Money Protection (CMP) schemes.
• Data sharing: Information from Housing Benefit, Council Tax, and tenancy deposit schemes can now be used to detect overcrowding, illegal evictions, or licensing issues.

These updates aim to raise standards across the sector, improving housing quality, safety, and accountability.

What This Means for Supported Living Providers

For supported living providers and investors, the message is clear: compliance and transparency are essential.

While most supported living organisations already operate to high standards, these new powers mean local authorities can more easily assess whether homes meet legal and safety requirements.

Providers should ensure they:

• Maintain accurate and accessible records of tenancy agreements, maintenance logs, and care partnerships.
• Respond promptly to any requests for information from LHAs.
• Conduct regular property checks and compliance audits to demonstrate best practice.
• Strengthen collaboration with local authorities and housing partners, ensuring early engagement if issues arise.

In many ways, the Act aligns with the supported living ethos, protecting vulnerable tenants and encouraging responsible, transparent management.

Opportunities for Ethical Investors

For investors, these changes underline the importance of partnering with reputable supported living operators. As the housing sector faces greater scrutiny, demand for compliant, high-quality supported accommodation will only increase.

Supported living remains one of the most resilient and socially impactful property investment models, offering stable, long-term income backed by local authority or housing association leases, while helping to meet critical social needs.

Bottom Line

The first phase of the Renters’ Rights Act represents a significant shift toward accountability and higher standards across the UK rental market. For supported living providers, this is an opportunity,  not a threat. It reinforces what the sector already stands for: safe, well-managed, life-changing housing.

At Supported Living Gateway, we connect ethical investors with trusted providers who deliver both financial stability and measurable social impact.

Get in touch if you’d like to find out more, hello@supportedlivinggateway.com