Tenants Considering Relocation Due to Rising Rent Prices

Research conducted by CIA Landlords has found that four in ten tenants thinking about moving this year are doing so because of rent affordability concerns. The study highlights that not only the type of home but also the location tenants can afford is being influenced by rising rental costs.

Among those considering a move, 12% said they were very likely to relocate, with a further 28% somewhat likely to do so. Nearly half of all tenants (47%) expect renting to become less affordable over the coming year, and 55% stated that unexpected or significant rent increases would prompt them to leave their current property.

Implications for the Private Rented Sector

Jackie Compton, sales director at CIA Landlords, warned that “when four in 10 renters are looking at moving areas because of costs, that’s a warning sign for the whole sector.” She emphasised that renters seek stability and confidence that their homes will be maintained and managed fairly.

Compton added, “Better communication, transparent rent-setting, and proactive maintenance aren’t ‘nice to haves’; they’re essential if we want long-term tenancies that work for everyone.” This underscores the growing need for landlords and letting agents to engage openly with tenants and ensure properties are well maintained to foster tenant retention.

The survey also revealed that 51% of tenants would prefer to leave if landlords or agents failed to address serious issues such as damp or heating failures, highlighting the critical role of property upkeep in tenant satisfaction.

Positive Tenant-Landlord Relationships and Priorities

Despite affordability pressures, the research shows that two-thirds (67%) of tenants currently feel favourable towards their landlord or letting agent. Furthermore, 81% indicated they would be likely to stay in a property for five years or more if it met their priorities.

When asked about what matters most in their relationship with landlords or agents, tenants ranked the speed of response to repairs highest at 35%, followed closely by the quality of repairs and maintenance at 34%. Respect for privacy and reasonable notice before visits were important to 31% of respondents.

Other key factors included transparency over rent increases (30%) and clear communication with written agreements (28%). These findings suggest that landlords who prioritise responsiveness, transparency, and respect can enhance tenant loyalty even amid rising costs.

What This Means for Landlords

The data indicates that rising rent prices are pushing tenants to reconsider their housing options, including relocating to more affordable areas. For landlords and letting agents, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Maintaining open, transparent communication about rent and tenancy terms, alongside prompt and effective property maintenance, is essential to retain tenants and reduce turnover.

Landlords should be aware that failure to address serious property issues or to communicate clearly about rent changes may lead to increased tenant departures. Investing in tenant satisfaction can help secure longer tenancies, which benefits both landlords and tenants in the long term.

Suggested internal link anchors

• rising rent prices
• tenant relocation
• private rented sector
• tenant retention
• property maintenance
• rent affordability
• landlord communication
• tenant satisfaction
• long-term tenancies
• rent increases transparency
• repair response times
• letting agents

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/