No Fixed Terms, No Summer Peak? How the Rental Reform May Reshape the Lettings Calendar

Traditionally, summer has been the busiest time of year for the UK lettings industry. Students return, graduates relocate, families move before school starts, and agency phones ring off the hook.

But with the incoming Renters (Reform) Bill — and the abolition of fixed-term tenancies — that long-standing seasonal rhythm may be about to change.

So, what happens when tenants are no longer locked into 6- or 12-month agreements?

👉 Will the summer surge flatten out?

👉 And what does that mean for agents, landlords, and the operational rhythm of the industry?

At Pro Property London, we’ve been watching this closely — and what’s coming may be the biggest shake-up to the lettings calendar in years.

📆 The “Summer Peak” — and Why It Exists

In the current model, summer is the super season for UK lettings.

• 🧑‍🎓 Students sign for academic year tenancies

• 👩‍💼 Graduates relocate for new jobs

• 👨‍👩‍👧 Families plan around school breaks

• ☀️ Void periods are shorter, viewing demand spikes, and portfolios move

This cycle has shaped how agents staff their offices, allocate budgets, and plan marketing campaigns.

But here’s the problem:

❗ The Renters (Reform) Bill is about to break that cycle.

🔄 What the Rental Reform Is Changing

Once enacted, the reform will bring in:

✅ Open-ended, rolling periodic tenancies

✅ Two-month notice periods from tenants — at any time

✅ No more fixed end dates or seasonally aligned start/stop tenancy cycles

Which means…

⏳ Tenants can leave in November, January, March — whenever they want

📉 The summer bottleneck may ease — but also lose its predictability

📈 Year-round turnover becomes the new normal

🤔 What Does This Mean for Letting Agents?

Here’s what we predict:

✅ 1. More Consistent (but Less Predictable) Turnover

Rather than managing 60% of your transitions in one quarter, agents will see a more even distribution throughout the year.

Pros:

• Fewer bottlenecks

• More stable revenue flow

• Reduced seasonal staffing strain

Cons:

• Less opportunity to “catch up” in a busy summer

• Harder to plan for high-demand months

• Ongoing operational pressure

✅ 2. Shorter Tenancy Lifecycles

With tenants no longer committed to a 6- or 12-month term, average tenancies may shorten — especially among:

• Students

• Young professionals

• House shares and HMOs

That means more move-ins, more move-outs, and more inspections across the calendar year.

✅ 3. A Shift in Marketing and Landlord Strategy

Landlords will need guidance on:

• Preparing for off-season vacancies

• Offering competitive flexibility to retain tenants

• Managing compliance year-round (not just in “turnover season”)

Letting agents who reposition their service around year-round management, turnover support, and proactive landlord education will stand out.

🧠 How Agents Can Prepare for a “No Seasons” Market

Now’s the time to pivot:

✅ Automate your inventory and inspection process→ Faster check-in/check-out turnarounds are no longer a summer-only need

✅ Structure your team for consistent workflow→ No more throwing temps at a 3-month rush. Hire for all-year agility.

✅ Offer landlord-ready compliance bundles→ Mid-term inspections, pre-exit prep, utility switches — all ripe for monetisation

✅ Educate landlords early→ The end of fixed terms will confuse a lot of DIY landlords. Help them make the shift smoothly.

📍 How Pro Property London Supports Agents Through the Transition

Whether your tenants are moving out in July or January, we’re here to help you stay on top of every handover with:

✔️ Independent, high-quality inventory reports

✔️ Fast check-in and check-out services

✔️ Mid-term inspections to reduce disputes

✔️ Year-round service across all London boroughs

✔️ Digital delivery with photographic evidence for compliance and protection

📞 Let’s help you get ahead of the curve — and out of the old seasonal mindset.

🌐 www.propropertylondon.co.uk

📧 talktous@propropertylondon.co.uk

📞 02038663808