The landlord's view
Every six months we survey our landlords with a range of questions about their lettings portfolios and their experience in the market, the challenges they face and their future intentions. In our latest survey, 1,007 landlords responded, sharing their thoughts and opinions.
Property portfolios
These respondents reflect a range of different backgrounds, from those with large portfolios working full time as landlords, to those with a single property that was perhaps never intended to be a rental. Of the 1,007 who replied:
62%
purchased all their properties specifically for use as rentals.
16%
of the rental properties are a mixture of the above.
13%
rent out their property to be their main address and/or home before moving somewhere else.
6%
inherited the property/properties they rent out.
3%
none of the above.
Number of properties landlords own
The following results are based on a series of landlord surveys (waves) The DPS conducted over the past 12 months.
The graph shows the number of properties each landlord owns. In our latest wave, 51% of landlords own one or two properties.
Rental property locations throughout the UK
Raising rents and advance payments
In our last report, we noted that landlords appeared to be taking a "wait-and-see" approach to the forthcoming Renters' Rights Act and how it would impact their lettings. With new rules now limiting the frequency and amount they can raise rents, 68% say they plan to increase rents on some or all of their properties.
Asked if they intend to automatically increase rents annually, only 19% responded that they plan to do this.
Factors driving landlords to increase rents
Landlords have also told us the number of tenants putting in offers above the asking rent stands at 13%, a fall of 3% since our October 2025 survey. With the Renters' Rights Act implementation, the marketplace is moving into a transition phase, learning about its complexities and adapting to the required changes. How the market now adjusts and reacts to these changes will be keenly watched by all market participants.
Top three landlord portfolio objectives
We asked landlords what their plans were for their small property portfolio in the next one to two years.
Small portfolio (1-2 properties)
Wave 6 (May 2026)
- I don't plan to change anything (39%).
- Sell all my properties and leave the rental market (31%).
- Sell some of my properties (23%).
Wave 5 (Oct 2025)
- I don't plan to change anything (44%).
- Sell all my properties and leave the rental market (28%).
- Sell some of my properties (23%).
Wave 4 Mar 2025)
- I don't plan to change anything (45%).
- Sell all my properties and leave the rental market (27%).
- Sell some of my properties (21%).
Large portfolio (3 or more properties)
Wave 6 (May 2026)
- Sell some of my properties (48%).
- I don't plan to change anything (23%).
- Sell all my properties and leave the rental market (16%).
Wave 5 (Oct 2025)
- Sell some of my properties (44%).
- I don't plan to change anything (28%).
- Sell all my properties and leave the rental market (18%).
Wave 4 Mar 2025)
- Sell some of my properties (47%).
- I don't plan to change anything (25%).
- Sell all my properties and leave the rental market (20%).
Top three factors driving landlords to sell their properties
Small portfolio (1-2 properties)
Wave 6 (May 2026)
- Legislation (89%)
- Return (76%)
- Retirement (44%)
Wave 5 (Oct 2025)
- Legislation (87%)
- Return (76%)
- Retirement (44%)
Wave 4 Mar 2025)
- Legislation (88%)
- Return (74%)
- Problem tenants (44%)
Large portfolio (3 or more properties)
Wave 6 (May 2026)
- Legislation (96%)
- Return (82%)
- Mortgage costs (47%)
Wave 5 (Oct 2025)
- Legislation (97%)
- Return (81%)
- Mortgage costs (44%)
Wave 4 Mar 2025)
- Legislation (92%)
- Return (73%)
- Retirement (49%)
Is demand for rental properties changing?
Of the landlords responding to our survey who offered at least one property for rent:
22%
said there was no change in the number of people applying to rent their property, an increase of 1% since October 2025.
15%
said the number of people applying to rent their property has increased but hasn't doubled, down 1%.
5%
said the number of people applying to rent their property has roughly doubled.
7%
said the number of people applying to rent their property has more than doubled.
For a more in-depth view of all landlord statistics, please view the full Private Rented Sector review PDF.