Demand has surged at a residential lettings agency in the north east as private landlords seek expert help to navigate the forthcoming Renters’ Rights Act.

Xenia Lettings, based in Monkwearmouth, Sunderland, has seen a tenfold rise in instructions from property owners since the start of 2026 and has expanded its footprint to include Tyneside and County Durham, as well as Wearside.

The Act will overhaul the private rented sector and impose significant new compliance obligations on landlords. The measures will begin rolling out from May 1.

Among the key changes will be:
The abolition of ‘no-fault’ evictions and fixed-term contracts, in favour of periodic tenancies
Enhanced grounds for possession
New rules regarding pets
Mandatory property registration and the creation of a digital private rented sector database to track landlord compliance
Stricter limits on rent increases

Xenia Lettings provides fully managed and let-only property services for owners of houses, flats and entire apartment blocks across the region.

It is part of the Xenia group, which specialises in property management, private residential and student lettings throughout the north west, Yorkshire, the Midlands and Scotland, as well as the north east.

The Sunderland branch is headed by Jonathan Walker, who joined in January from Sell UK Property, where he was operations manager based in Middlesbrough.

He has 10 years’ experience in property lettings, including holiday lets, and is a reservist combat engineer in the British Army.

The Renters’ Rights Act has many landlords worried about increased regulation and stricter rules.

They are increasingly choosing to pay a managing agent rather than deal with these complex matters themselves. It could become a minefield for those who do not have professional support.

Our service to landlords means we take care of everything, from finding reliable tenants and collecting rent to ensuring legal compliance and handling property maintenance.

This removes the need for day-to-day owner involvement, and is driving sharp growth for our services.

Some landlords are instead choosing to sell their properties, often to new players in the sector. These new investors are keen to build their own portfolios, and are attracted by strong rental yields in the north east that are above the national average, contributing to further growth for our Sunderland branch.

We are developing a series of guides to help clients through the changes with a focus on making this transition as smooth as possible. By taking a proactive approach, we can help our clients avoid disruption and remain compliant while continuing to achieve strong returns on their investments.

Jonathan said the region’s rental market remains buoyant, fuelled in part by expansion in the University of Sunderland’s student population, investment in Teesside Freeport, and major employers such as Amazon bringing more workers into the region.

“We are also seeing local authorities support people relocating to the area from London, where rents have simply become unaffordable,” he added.

“This is also increasing demand for rented properties, and we are often finding tenants within a couple of days.

“Our knowledge of the local market and proactive approach are driving record activity levels for our Sunderland branch, and we are looking forward to further growth as we expand our reach across County Durham, Tyne & Wear and into Teesside.”

Xenia Lettings director Daryl Tomlinson said: "With significant changes on the horizon, landlords are facing a period of adjustment and uncertainty. We are committed to guiding our clients through these changes with clear, practical support to ensure they are prepared and well-positioned for the future of the rental market.

“Jonathan, who brings over 10 years’ experience in the lettings sector to Xenia, is playing a key role alongside the wider team, working proactively with landlords to ensure they are fully equipped.