UK rental trends landlords should know about

June 1, 2026

The rental market is the foundation of regular, monthly income for investors in the UK buy-to-let space. That makes it vital for landlords to know what’s happening now and what to expect in the future to position their investment portfolios for long-term success.

Here are the key UK rental trends landlords need to know about in 2026.

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UK rents are increasing steadily despite economic and political challenges

The UK rental market continues to grow consistently, even while the country and the world face a range of challenges. The latest data from the Office for National Statistics shows the average UK rent went up 3.5% in the last 12 months, to a monthly total of £1,381.

That is a faster pace of growth than in the previous month, and it significantly outpaces house price growth in the same period. The data shows that rental growth is a key area for landlords in 2026 – a situation that is likely to continue in the years to come.

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Reports that rental demand is weakening do not tell the whole story

Linked to rising rents is the fact that there are not enough private rental homes in the UK to meet demand. Construction rates are low, and the existing housing stock is not enough. Despite this, there are reports that the overall demand for rental property is weakening. However, this does not tell the whole story.

Research from Zoopla gives a more complete picture for landlords. While demand is lower, there are still an average of 4.8 enquiries per rental property in the UK. Furthermore, overall rental supply is now 23% lower than it was before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Even with some landlords leaving the sector this year, that means demand is still extremely high, and it will remain so in the future. In other words, the reality is that we can expect ongoing rental growth.

Regional cities are seeing the most rental growth

This is an ongoing trend which shows no sign of stopping. London used to be the dominant rental market for landlords, but regional cities such as Manchester and Liverpool are now a more profitable option in many cases.

Returning to the Office for National Statistics data, the average rent in London went up just 2% in the last year, 66% of the national average. In contrast, the North West saw average rents go up 5.8% in the same period. That is equivalent to 166% of the national average.

With that in mind, landlords should be looking at buy-to-let property in the North of England in 2026 to expand their portfolios in the most profitable way possible.

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What tenants want is changing

Finally, when investing, it’s always important to understand what tenants want. In 2026, renters are looking for more sustainable, energy-efficient homes and are willing to pay a premium to secure them.

You also need to consider the lifestyle your property allows for. Renters want to be near city centre shops, bars, restaurants, retail and cultural opportunities. They want good transport links and modern amenities close by, too.

This is one of the key rental trends which landlords need to be aware of in 2026 and beyond. What people want is changing, and you can secure higher returns by providing it.

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Want to know more about 2026 rental trends?

Contact our team of property experts today to discover everything you need to know to be a successful UK property investor.