News from 22 May 2026
Barclays research reported by Property Industry Eye found that 62% of renters thought the Renters’ Rights reforms would improve housing conditions and protections. Around 45% worried about higher rents, and a similar proportion feared a reduction in rental supply.
Tenant confidence does not remove supply pressure
The research suggests renters are broadly supportive of stronger protections. Property Industry Eye reported that 62% believe the reforms will improve housing conditions and tenant protections, with a similar proportion saying the legislation would make it easier to challenge unfair treatment from landlords.
That is the confidence side of the story. The pressure side is that many renters also expect knock-on effects. If landlords sell, delay investment, reduce availability or become more cautious about letting decisions, tenants may feel the result through fewer options and higher competition for suitable homes.
The survey reflects both support for tenant protections and concern about supply. A market can have stronger tenant protections and still be under strain. The useful question is how clearly each landlord can show that their property, paperwork and communication are being handled properly in a changing market.
Costs and complexity remain part of the picture
The same report said caution is also visible among homeowners considering additional properties. Only 11% said they planned to buy an extra property within the next two years, while affordability, running costs and higher taxes were cited as barriers. Nearly seven in 10 said they would not want to become a landlord because of the costs and complexity involved.
That does not prove a sudden landlord exodus. It does, however, underline the wider conditions that landlords are operating in: higher compliance expectations, tax and cost pressures, mortgage and insurance costs, repair obligations, tenant affordability issues and tighter scrutiny of how homes are managed.
Recent Here4 Landlords coverage of record rental arrears and tenant pressure points to the same wider theme. They are managing reform, affordability, standards, local enforcement and portfolio costs at the same time.
