RICS Survey: Landlords Face Rent Squeeze as Supply Drops
UK Property News

RICS Survey: Landlords Face Rent Squeeze as Supply Drops

By Jordan Hale, Senior Lettings Editor · 23 July 2026 · 1 min read

Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by Property118. Read the original article for full details.

RICS Survey Highlights Ongoing Rental Market Pressures

Landlords are facing renewed rent pressure as tenant demand increases and the supply of available rental homes remains constrained, according to the latest RICS UK Residential Market Survey for May.

The survey reports that tenant demand recorded a net balance of +14%. In contrast, landlord instructions stayed firmly negative at -28%, indicating a continued shortage of new rental properties coming onto the market.

Rent expectations have also strengthened, reaching a net balance of +36%. This is the highest reading since May of the previous year, according to the survey.

These findings highlight ongoing challenges for letting agents and inventory clerks, as the imbalance between rising tenant demand and limited rental property supply continues to put upward pressure on rents.


Source: Property118
About the author
Jordan Hale
Senior Lettings Editor

Jordan Hale leads The Property AI's lettings coverage with a focus on UK rental legislation, agent compliance, and the day-to-day pressures facing letting agents. Articles bylined Jordan Hale combine current trade reporting with practical guidance for letting agents and inventory…

Specialises in: Renters' Rights Act, EPC regulations, tenancy deposit schemes, agent licensing, Right to Rent compliance.

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