Landlord press review: April 2026
Like every month, Rentila offers you an overview of the main real estate news of interest to landlords and tenants. This month, we focus on: Property industry reacts to latest Nationwide house price data; Chancellor urges major banks to boost mortgage support; Mortgage rates ‘likely to remain higher for some time yet’; Rent price gaps widen across the UK; Nearly 1 in 5 landlords planning to exit the market entirely; Buy-to-let repossessions rise by 10% as landlords face ‘tough times’ ahead… Happy reading and… renting!
The market
Calls grow for government action as housing market slows
The call from an audit, tax and consulting firm follows the latest UK House Price Index, which shows average house prices rose by 1.3% in the year to January 2026, with a monthly fall of 0.3% on a non-seasonally adjusted basis. The average UK property price stood at £268,000 in January.
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Property industry reacts to latest Nationwide house price data
UK house price growth strengthened in March, with annual prices rising by 2.2%, up from 1% in February, according to the latest data from Nationwide.
Regionally, Northern Ireland recorded the strongest performance in the first quarter of 2026, with prices up 9.5% year-on-year.
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Rental market rebounds as prices edge up
After several months of little movement, rents have started to edge up again, rising for the first time in five months – though they remain 2.5% below October’s peak.
Outside London, rents increased modestly by £5 (0.4%) to £1,125, marking a 1.6% annual rise.
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UK rental market dominated by landlords aged over 55
A striking demographic pattern has emerged from the latest UK landlord data, and it raises important questions about the future of the private rented sector. According to a survey, the overwhelming majority of landlords are now aged 56 and above, with very limited representation from younger investors.
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Property market showing signs of resilience amid mortgage rate rises
Rising borrowing costs are beginning to test confidence in the UK housing market, although overall activity has remained relatively stable.
The figures show that 83% of home movers agreed mortgage rates above 4% in March, up sharply from 58% in February…
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Landlords’ next move will define the direction of the rental market
Based on 2,380 completed responses, 57% of landlords plan to reduce their portfolios, 6.8% intend to expand and a significant proportion are choosing to hold and reassess.
The implication is clear: the next phase of the market will be shaped by what landlords choose to do next.
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Mortgage
Steep hike in mortgage rates has yet to match Truss unrest
Moneyfacts’ rate watch data shows severe increases since last Friday, but the movements have not yet been as steep as they were following the Liz Truss mini-Budget.
Back then, in September 2022, average two-year fixed rates jumped by 181bps in a single week.
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Chancellor urges major banks to boost mortgage support
The chancellor Rachel Reeves met with the UK’s six largest banks and building societies, alongside UK Finance and the economic secretary, on Thursday to assess the impact of the conflict in Iran on households and small businesses.
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Credit statistics belie tough mortgage outlook
The latest Bank of England money and credit statistics provide a snapshot of what could have been for the mortgage and housing market.
Net mortgage borrowing rose to £4.8bn in February, from £4.2bn in January, above the £4.5bn previous six-month average.
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Biggest shock to UK mortgage market since mini-budget disaster
The UK mortgage market has experienced its sharpest shock since the 2022 mini-Budget, with the Iran conflict triggering a rapid rise in borrowing costs over the past month.
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Mortgage rates ‘likely to remain higher for some time yet’
Mortgage rates are likely to remain higher for “some time yet” despite some signs of the upward pressure easing, according to a financial information website.
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Landlords hold on average 6.5 mortgages across portfolio
Landlords’ average mortgage debt is now £714,000, which is typically spread across at least two different lenders, a report shows.
Rather than relying on a single mortgage product, many landlords are managing multiple borrowing arrangements, often with different terms, maturities and refinancing timelines.
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Rent
Agents urged to update contracts as new periodic tenancy agreement released
From 1 May, all new and existing tenancies will automatically become Assured Periodic Tenancies. Tenants can end their tenancy with at least two months’ notice, while Section 21 “no-fault” evictions will be removed, leaving possession claims to rely on updated Section 8 grounds.
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Countdown to the Renters’ Rights Act deadline begins
The Act, the biggest overhaul to the PRS in decades, takes effect on 1 May 2026 and will be introduced in three phases.
To start with are the measures that reshape how tenancies are created and, just as importantly, how they are ended.
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Landlords to tighten tenant checks before Renters’ Rights Act
Landlords are tightening tenant screening ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act coming into force on 1 May, with nearly seven in 10 planning more stringent checks to manage eviction risk.
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England’s rents rise 2.4% ahead of reform
hat annual rise, which reflects agreed rents, is higher than February’s 2%, but still well below the 4.6% recorded in March 2025.
Average rents increased by 0.8% between February and March, from £1,203 to £1,212, a shift of less than £10.
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Government releases new guidance for tenants under Renters’ Rights Act
The government has published guidance for tenants on the grounds for possession and the court eviction process under the Renters’ Rights Act.
It sets out what happens when a landlord gives notice on or after 1 May, and the court and eviction process if a tenant decides not to leave.
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Rent price gaps widen across the UK
Landlords are facing widening gaps in rent performance and tenant affordability, with sharp monthly swings emerging between regions, research reveals.
Latest data shows Scotland is leading for gains, while several English areas and London have moved backwards.
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Other
Empty homes crisis needs action
With over 359,000 homes sitting empty for more than six months across the UK, the report said this causes social, economic and environmental damage and sets out recommendations for governments and local authorities.
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Nearly 1 in 5 landlords planning to exit the market entirely
A more concerning signal is now emerging from the UK private rented sector, and it goes beyond portfolio adjustments. According to the Property118 Landlord Sentiment Survey Q1 2026, a significant proportion of landlords are not simply reducing their exposure, they are considering leaving the market altogether.
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Landlords accused of rushing evictions ahead of Renters’ Rights Act
Charities claim an eviction surge is under way as landlords rush to evict tenants before the Renters’ Rights Act takes effect.
Tenant group Acorn told the Guardian that Section 21 evictions accounted for one in five reports from members in October, rising to nearly one in three by January.
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Buy-to-let repossessions rise by 10% as landlords face ‘tough times’ ahead
Buy-to-let (BTL) repossessions are on the rise and experts are warning landlords face “tough times” ahead.
There were 770 BTL mortgage possessions in the last three months of 2025, up 10% from 700 in the same period in 2024, according to the latest data from trade body UK Finance.
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