The Renters' Rights Bill: Can reliable internet help reduce void periods?

The Renters' Rights Bill will soon bring major changes to tenancy agreements, most notably replacing fixed-term contracts with periodic tenancies. With the elimination of fixed-term Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs), all new tenancies will be periodic from the start. Tenants will have the flexibility to leave with only two months' notice instead of the 12 months required before. This shift enhances tenants’ ability to move, making tenant satisfaction crucial for minimising vacancy periods and ensuring a steady rental income.

According to Knight Frank’s 2021 report, quality Wi-Fi is a top consideration for tenants willing to pay a premium for accommodation. Therefore, to provide a high-quality living experience, reliable connectivity is essential to retaining tenants in today’s digital age. Good internet access helps keep tenants satisfied, reducing the likelihood of early departures and minimising costly void periods. From remote work and online education to streaming entertainment and smart home devices, a strong internet connection significantly enhances occupants’ quality of life. For instance, 77% of young professionals own three or more devices that require Wi-Fi, which can put strain on networks (Em Morley, 2016). Our research shows that 96% of young UK professionals are dissatisfied with their Wi-Fi access when moving into a new property. Furthermore, 70% of those who work from home at least one day a week would reconsider renewing their tenancy if their home had a poor internet connection (Em Morley, 2018). Properties equipped with high-speed, reliable Wi-Fi are more attractive to prospective tenants and landlords are more likely to retain them for longer periods.

With approximately 60 million internet users, the UK boasts the fourth largest online population in Europe and ranks 17th globally (Petrosyan, 2023). In today’s digital world, reliable internet access in the UK is no longer a luxury, it's an essential utility. A recent Forbes survey found that 63% of respondents work remotely either full-time or part-time (Hooson, 2024), making dependable Wi-Fi a critical factor in choosing where to live. From remote working and online learning to streaming and managing household utilities. A property without a stable internet connection can quickly become unattractive, especially for young professionals and students. Over half (54%) of students struggled with Wi-Fi connections from 2022-23. Students need Wi-Fi for online course materials and online lectures (70% live, 82% recorded) and most students undertake digital assessments and quizzes as part of their degrees (Jisc, 2023). Properties without reliable internet may struggle to retain tenants as tenants are more likely to review where they live, leading to more frequent vacancies and increased re-letting costs. By ensuring high-speed broadband and Wi-Fi access, landlords can improve tenant retention, reduce void periods, increase the average tenancy length and maintain a steady rental income.

Landlord Broadband provides a service specifically designed for the private rented sector to help create more desirable properties in a competitive market. Therefore, Landlord Broadband is an ideal solution for landlords looking to reduce void periods and increase tenant satisfaction. By providing high-performance internet to tenants as part of their rental package, landlords can ensure that their tenants have access to reliable, fast internet connection, which can help to make their rental properties more attractive and desirable. Furthermore, Landlord Broadband can help to improve tenant retention rates, as tenants are more likely to stay in a rental property if they have access to reliable and fast internet.

At Landlord Broadband we see Wi-Fi as the 4th essential utility. In this video featuring Landlord Broadband's CEO, Andy Simpson, we discuss the 4th essential utility and solutions to potential issues caused by high-street provider installations.