Property management and letting agencies across the United Kingdom must prepare for expanded legal obligations concerning workplace harassment from October 2026. This follows the Employment Rights Act 2025, which received Royal Assent in December 2025. The legislation introduces three significant changes affecting property professionals. The precise implementation dates have now been published by the government.
Key Innovations of the Act
The new Act aims to strengthen the protection of employees from workplace harassment and assign employers a more proactive role in prevention. In particular, agencies' responsibility is extended not only to prevent harassment but also to take measures to avert it from the outset. This preventative duty represents a significant addition to previous regulations and requires a review of existing policies and training programmes.
Among the central changes is an expanded definition of harassment, which now includes 'third parties'. This means that estate agents may also be liable for harassment committed by clients, suppliers, or other external individuals against their employees, provided the agency has not taken appropriate steps for prevention or intervention. This necessitates a more comprehensive risk assessment and adapted conduct policies when dealing with third parties.
Implications for the Property Sector
This new regulation is likely to have far-reaching effects on the operations of property agencies. Agencies are now expected not only to respond to complaints but actively to create an environment that minimises harassment. This includes implementing robust reporting procedures, regular employee training, and clear communication of the new standards. It is anticipated that the relevant supervisory authorities will strictly monitor compliance with these provisions.
- —Review of internal anti-harassment policies.
- —Training for all employees on preventative measures.
- —Implementation of clear procedures for reporting and handling harassment incidents.
- —Extended risk analysis when dealing with external parties.
Adapting to these new requirements will be an important task for property agencies in the United Kingdom in the coming months to minimise legal risks and ensure a safe working environment for their employees. The period until October 2026 should therefore be used to make all necessary adjustments and comprehensively inform the workforce.
