Rent increases are becoming less common among private landlords in England, according to research from the TDS Charitable Foundation, which found that 50% had kept rents unchanged over the previous 12 months, up from 39% in last year’s survey.
The foundation’s nationally representative survey covered more than 2,000 private landlords, and The Dispute Service Group carried out the research on its behalf. Retaining existing tenants was the most common reason for holding rents, cited by 47% of landlords who kept them unchanged, while 44% pointed to cost-of-living pressures facing tenants.
Landlords were less likely to have introduced rent increases if they had no property debt or borrowing, owned a single rental property or had never used a letting agent.
However, 48% of landlords had raised rents at least once over the same period. The most common reasons for rent increases were higher running costs, increased maintenance expenses and the wider cost-of-living crisis. Landlords who raised rents were more likely to have larger portfolios, incomes of £100,000 or more, at least one house in multiple occupation (HMO) or a letting agent.
The survey also examined rent arrears and how landlords respond to them. Just over a quarter of landlords (26%) reported at least one tenant in arrears, down from 29% in the previous year’s survey.
When tenants fell behind, 42% of landlords said they engaged directly to discuss options, and 39% provided information on tenants’ rights and available support services. More than one in five (21%) agreed to a repayment plan, while 17% offered a rent-free or reduced-rent period.
“It is encouraging to see more landlords choosing to keep rents unchanged, particularly at a time when many tenants continue to face significant financial pressures,” said Dr Jennifer Harris, head of policy, research and social impact at The Dispute Service Group.
“However, our research shows that decisions about rents are rarely straightforward. While retaining good tenants and recognising the financial challenges they face are important considerations for many landlords, they are facing pressures of their own, with rising running and maintenance costs continuing to influence decisions about rents.”
