Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by Mortgage Strategy. Read the original article for full details. Many UK teams now handle this with dedicated property inventory software.
Most Professional Landlords Plan to Expand Despite Renters’ Rights Act
A majority of professional landlords still plan to purchase more homes, despite increasing costs and the impact of the Renters’ Rights Act, according to Handelsbanken. The lender’s 2026 Property Investor Report found that only 1% of landlords intend to leave the market in the next 12 months, while 84% plan to acquire additional properties.
Among landlords looking to expand, 70% cited buying opportunities or property valuations as their main motivation. Strong rental demand was highlighted by 58% of respondents, and 33% pointed to the availability of financing as a key factor.
The report also noted a difference in approach between smaller and larger landlords. While smaller landlords may be considering selling, those with larger portfolios are choosing to remain in the market.
Handelsbanken’s findings show that 63% of landlords have increased rents to offset their own rising costs. Additionally, 46% have delayed property maintenance and upgrade work.
With the Renters’ Rights Act coming into force this month, 59% of landlords said they are tightening their rental criteria. Furthermore, 44% indicated they may implement rent increases earlier than originally planned.
These trends are particularly relevant for UK letting agents and inventory clerks, as they may see changes in landlord behaviour, rental criteria, and property maintenance schedules in the coming months.
Source: Mortgage Strategy