A recent Lendlord survey reveals that 58.5% of UK landlords raised rents last year, with over a third planning additional hikes despite low vacancy rates and growing tenant affordability pressures. Landlords are navigating inflation, regional rent disparities, and looming Renters’ Rights Bill changes while the rental market tightens further due to dwindling supply and regulatory uncertainty.
More than half of UK landlords have already increased rents over the past year, with over one-third planning further hikes in the coming six months, according to a recent survey from property management platform Lendlord. The survey of active landlords nationwide found that 58.5% implemented rent rises in the last 12 months, with nearly a third applying increases selectively and over a quarter applying them across their entire portfolios.
Looking ahead, 36.3% of landlords intend to raise rents within the next six months, while another 30.4% remain undecided but are closely monitoring market conditions. Vacancy levels remain notably low, with nearly three-quarters of landlords reporting fully let properties and only 6.8% experiencing vacancies exceeding 25%. Tenant turnover appears stable, with 73.8% of landlords observing no significant changes in move-ins or move-outs.
A key factor influencing landlords’ cautious approach is the upcoming Renters’ Rights Bill. Around 72% of landlords are either reviewing or planning to review rents in response to potential regulatory changes, although only 14.4% have already implemented adjustments specifically due to the Bill. Aviram Shahar, Lendlord’s co-founder and CEO, stressed the balancing act landlords face: addressing inflationary pressures while maintaining tenant stability. He noted that demand remains high, with low vacancy rates, and landlords are actively assessing the impact of regulation on future rent strategies.
The survey also highlighted significant regional rent disparities, with average rents reported at nearly £2,000 per month in Greater London, compared to around £730 in the North East. This variation reflects the ongoing challenges for tenants in prime areas where demand is strongest.
This data aligns with broader market trends. According to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the UK rental market has seen an 11-month consecutive decline in rental property supply as of June 2025, driven by landlords exiting the market amid rising mortgage costs, increased taxation on second homes, and enhanced tenant protections. This decline in supply has contributed to a 7% annual increase in rents as of May 2025, reinforcing the difficulties tenants face in securing affordable accommodation.
In London particularly, an increasing number of buy-to-let properties are being sold rather than rented, with 22% of previously rented homes in inner London listed for sale in July 2024. Contributing factors include lower rental yields, tax changes, and upcoming regulatory measures such as the requirement for minimum emissions ratings for rental properties by 2030. Slowed house price growth and higher mortgage costs are also eating into landlords’ profits, prompting sales that further tighten the rental market.
Industry data reveals that average UK rents have surged 21% between 2022 and 2025, rising by £221 to an average monthly cost of £1,283 as of March 2025. Remarkably, this increase surpasses the rise in average mortgage repayments over the same period, which increased by £218 to £1,154. Analysts attribute this rent surge to a strong labour market, increased migration for work and study, high mortgage rates delaying homeownership, and limited investment in buy-to-let properties, all of which have exacerbated pressure on rental supply.
Low vacancy rates and limited availability of quality rental properties further intensify competition, allowing landlords to maintain and escalate rents. Property developers’ emphasis on the owner-occupied housing market means fewer rental homes are being added, amplifying scarcity. Tenants often face fierce competition when searching for rental homes, giving landlords greater leverage over pricing.
However, the pace of rent increases has shown signs of slowing slightly. According to Zoopla’s Quarterly Rental Market Report, the UK saw rent growth slow to 3.9% over the past year, down from 9.1% a year earlier. This slowdown is attributed to a narrowing supply-demand gap during 2024 and mounting affordability pressures on tenants, particularly in high-rent areas. Despite the easing growth rate, the annual cost of rent in the UK has risen sharply from £12,000 in 2021 to over £15,000, increasing by 27% and outstripping earnings growth, which has risen 19% in the same period.
Meanwhile, policy changes are stirring debate among industry leaders. Simon Carter, CEO of British Land and president of the British Property Federation, has openly criticised a government proposal to ban ‘upward-only’ rent reviews in commercial leases. While the ban aims to make high street rents more affordable and sustainable for small businesses, Carter warned it could undermine investor confidence and deter capital inflows due to increased uncertainty.
Taken together, these factors paint a complex picture of the UK rental market, where landlords adopt a measured approach to rent increases amid persistent demand, regulatory shifts, and economic pressures, while tenants grapple with rising costs and reduced supply.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://theintermediary.co.uk/2025/07/lendlord-survey-shows-landlords-planning-further-rent-increases-amid-low-vacancy-rates/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.ft.com/content/0bcdcdd8-2e6a-4acd-bb70-5f003254842e – A recent survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) indicates a significant decline in the number of rental properties in the UK, marking the 11th consecutive month of reduced supply as of June 2025. This trend is attributed to landlords exiting the market due to factors such as new legislation enhancing tenant rights, rising mortgage costs, and increased taxation on second homes. Consequently, the reduced supply has led to a 7% annual increase in rents as of May 2025, highlighting the challenges tenants face in securing affordable housing.
- https://www.ft.com/content/0180e4a1-618f-4b6a-a05b-bda25b9694a1 – An increasing number of buy-to-let properties in London are being sold, leading to a reduction in available rental homes. In July 2024, 22% of previously rented properties in inner London were up for sale, a significant rise from previous years. Factors contributing to this trend include lower yields, tax changes, and upcoming regulatory measures, such as the mandated minimum emissions rating for rentals by 2030. The slowed increase in house prices and higher mortgage costs have also impacted profits, prompting landlords to sell and further tightening the rental market.
- https://www.ft.com/content/f2301d97-cd69-4bd5-857e-32cc8ecc7c2c – Simon Carter, CEO of British Land and president of the British Property Federation, has criticised a UK government proposal to ban ‘upward-only’ rent reviews in commercial leases. These clauses, which prevent rents from decreasing upon renewal, have long favoured landlords but are seen as disadvantaging tenants, especially small businesses. The planned ban is part of the new English devolution and community empowerment bill and aims to make high street rents more affordable and sustainable. Carter warned that the sudden policy shift could undermine investor confidence and deter capital inflows due to increased uncertainty.
- https://moneyweek.com/investments/property/rents-outpace-mortgages – Between 2022 and 2025, average UK rents rose by 21% (£221), surpassing the £218 increase in average mortgage repayments over the same period, according to Zoopla. As of March 2025, average monthly rents stand at £1,283, versus mortgage payments of £1,154. This rent surge was driven by a strong labour market, increased migration for work and study, and high mortgage rates that delayed homebuying, intensifying demand in an already supply-constrained rental market due to low buy-to-let investment.
- https://gaskells.co.uk/uk-property-rental-market-why-rents-keep-rising/ – The UK property rental market is experiencing rising rents due to several factors. Limited availability of quality rental properties has led to increased competition among tenants, driving up prices. Additionally, a shortage of desirable rental properties, partly due to property developers focusing on the housing market, has given landlords the upper hand, enabling them to charge higher rents. Low vacancy rates further contribute to this trend, as tenants often face fierce competition when searching for new rentals, allowing landlords to maintain higher rental rates.
- https://www.zoopla.co.uk/press/releases/rents-rising-at-slowest-pace-for-over-three-years/ – Zoopla’s latest Quarterly Rental Market Report reveals that the rate of rental growth in the UK is at its lowest level in over three years, with rents rising by 3.9% over the last year, down from 9.1% a year ago. This slowdown is attributed to a narrowing imbalance between supply and demand over 2024 and growing affordability pressures on renters in areas with high rents. The annual cost of rent has increased from £12,000 in 2021 to £15,240, an increase of £3,240 (27%), outpacing the growth in earnings (19%) over the same period.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative presents recent data from a July 2025 survey by Lendlord, indicating that over half of UK landlords have increased rents in the past year, with over a third planning further hikes in the next six months. This aligns with earlier reports from June 2025, such as a survey by Landbay revealing that 44% of landlords planned to raise rents in response to the Renters’ Rights Bill. ([theintermediary.co.uk](https://theintermediary.co.uk/2025/06/44-of-landlords-plan-to-raise-rents-before-renters-rights-bill-landbay/?utm_source=openai)) The consistency across multiple reputable sources suggests the information is current and not recycled. However, the presence of similar findings in June 2025 indicates that while the data is fresh, the narrative may not be entirely original. ([theintermediary.co.uk](https://theintermediary.co.uk/2025/06/70-of-landlords-plan-to-grow-portfolios-despite-market-uncertainty-finds-lendlord/?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative includes a direct quote from Aviram Shahar, Lendlord’s co-founder and CEO, discussing landlords’ balancing act between addressing inflationary pressures and maintaining tenant stability. A search reveals that this quote appears in the July 2025 report by Lendlord. No earlier instances of this exact quote were found, suggesting it is original to this report. However, similar sentiments have been expressed by industry leaders in previous reports, indicating that while the quote is original, the themes are not unique.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Intermediary, a UK-based publication focusing on mortgage and property news. The Intermediary is a reputable source within the industry, known for its coverage of property market trends and analyses. The data cited in the narrative is sourced from Lendlord, a property management and finance platform, which conducted the survey. Lendlord is a legitimate entity with a public presence and a history of publishing market insights. The use of reputable sources enhances the credibility of the narrative.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims in the narrative are plausible and align with broader market trends. The reported rent increases and low vacancy rates are consistent with data from other reputable sources, such as the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), which reported an 11-month consecutive decline in rental property supply as of June 2025. ([lendlord.io](https://lendlord.io/q2-2025-regional-uk-rent-data?utm_source=openai)) The mention of the Renters’ Rights Bill and its potential impact on landlords’ rent strategies is timely and relevant, reflecting ongoing legislative developments. The narrative maintains a consistent tone and language appropriate for the UK property market context, with no inconsistencies or suspicious elements detected.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative presents current and plausible information sourced from reputable entities, with original quotes and consistent data. While similar findings have been reported in June 2025, the July 2025 survey by Lendlord provides fresh insights, and the narrative effectively contextualises these findings within the broader market landscape. The source reliability is strong, and the plausibility of the claims is high, leading to a confident assessment of the narrative’s credibility.
