Most renters and consumers have heard of the Renters’ Rights Act, but awareness of many of its key provisions remains low, according to new polling from Ipsos.

The survey found that while the abolition of Section 21 evictions is widely recognised, knowledge of several other major reforms – including measures affecting rent increases, bidding wars and upfront rental payments – is far more limited.

Around 73% of Britons said they had heard of the Renters’ Rights Act, rising to 85% among private renters. However, nearly a quarter of the public (23%) said they had never heard of the legislation, while a further 22% said they knew nothing about it beyond the name.

Even among private renters, awareness gaps remain significant. One in eight renters said they had not heard of the Act, while 14% said they were aware of it but knew little about the detail.

The polling suggests public understanding is heavily concentrated around the government’s plans to abolish Section 21 evictions. Around 71% of respondents were aware of the proposed ban on -so-called no-fault evictions, making it by far the most recognised reform within the legislation.

Awareness drops sharply for other measures aimed at increasing financial security for tenants.

A third of the public were unaware that landlords would only be able to increase rents once per year, while 38% did not know landlords and agents would be required to advertise rental properties with a fixed asking price and would be prevented from encouraging bidding wars.

The same proportion were unaware of proposals limiting landlords to taking one month’s rent in advance.

Even within the private rented sector, where the reforms are likely to have the most direct impact, at least one in five renters had not heard about these changes.

Despite limited understanding of the detail, overall sentiment towards the legislation remains broadly positive. Around 36% of respondents said they believed the Act would have a positive impact, compared with 10% who viewed it negatively.

Support increased after respondents were shown a summary of the legislation’s main provisions. More than half (52%) then said they expected a positive impact, rising to 69% among private renters.

The findings come against a backdrop of continuing affordability concerns across both the rental and owner-occupier sectors.

A third of Britons said they were concerned about their ability to meet rent or mortgage payments, while more than half of private renters expressed concern about paying rent.

Confidence in future affordability also remains weak. Around three-quarters of respondents said they were not confident housing would become more affordable to rent or buy in the coming years.

Ben Marshall, research director at Ipsos in the UK, said: “This survey further highlights the affordability struggles many Britons, especially renters, continue to face well as their pessimism about the future.

“There is a degree of goodwill towards the Renters Reform Act and general positivity about its potential impact. However, awareness is patchy. One in eight private renters haven’t heard of it at all, and a fifth or more haven’t heard of several provisions to protect them from rent increases.

“If they persist, such gaps in knowledge could have potential political ramifications. Labour was elected to deliver change in housing and has benefited from the solid backing of private renters at the past four general elections.”

Labour government faces growing housing challenge as public confidence slips