Rental Property Availability Rises Sharply in Q4 2025

New data from Inventory Base reveals that the number of rental homes available across England rose by 25% in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to the previous quarter. Even when accounting for seasonal fluctuations, stock levels were 15.4% higher than the same period a year earlier. This indicates a significant accumulation of properties remaining on the market.

Tenant Hesitation, Not Landlord Exodus

Despite concerns around the impact of the Renters’ Rights Act on the private rented sector (PRS), Inventory Base’s operations director, Sián Hemming-Metcalfe, emphasises that the increase in available properties is not due to landlords leaving the market. She explains, “The Renters’ Rights Act fundamentally changes the risk profile for private landlords. It makes affordability harder to assess, limits how risk can be managed during a tenancy, and reduces the levers landlords have to protect their assets.”

However, Ms Hemming-Metcalfe adds, “What these Q4 figures tell us is that this hasn’t happened yet. Instead, what we’re seeing looks much more like tenant hesitation. Tenants know the reforms are coming and, quite rationally, many are choosing not to move until those protections are firmly in place.”

Regional Variations in Rental Stock Changes

The quarterly rise in rental availability was particularly pronounced in certain regions. The City of Bristol saw an increase of 74.8%, followed by Leicestershire at 67.6%, Tyne and Wear at 66.7%, Warwickshire at 66.4%, and West Yorkshire at 65.2%. Rutland and Merseyside also experienced rises exceeding 60%. Conversely, the City of London recorded a 14.1% decline in available stock, with Greater London seeing a smaller decrease of 2.4%.

Implications for Landlords and the Private Rented Sector

Ms Hemming-Metcalfe highlights the practical impact of tenant behaviour on the rental market: “When tenants stop moving, homes sit on the market for longer, and available stock builds up, even though the overall number of rental homes hasn’t changed.” This slowdown in tenant movement is likely causing challenges for some landlords and developers, including those involved in build-to-rent schemes, as properties remain available but are not let at the usual pace.

Looking ahead, she notes, “The real test will come as we move closer to implementation and into the summer, when the Act is fully live. Supply may tighten, but landlords tend to be more resilient than the commentary gives them credit for.”

What This Means for UK Landlords

For landlords and letting agents, the current rise in rental property availability represents a temporary market adjustment driven by tenant caution ahead of legislative changes rather than a reduction in landlord participation. It is important to monitor tenant demand closely and prepare for potential shifts in market dynamics as the Renters’ Rights Act comes into full effect.

Suggested internal link anchors

• Renters’ Rights Act
• private rented sector
• rental property availability
• tenant hesitation
• build-to-rent
• landlord risk management
• rental market trends
• letting agents
• tenant protections
• rental stock levels

TLA update

TLA is launching a new Trusted Partners Hub in Q1 2026, featuring verified and approved service providers selected to support landlords, tenants, and property management businesses. We are inviting legal, trades, insurance, financial, mortgage, tenant screening, and other service providers to register their interest here: https://landlordassociation.org.uk/become-a-tla-service-partner/