More landlords are buying homes for rent

The private rented sector is experiencing some relief as more landlords grow their portfolios, research reveals.

According to TDS Charitable Foundation, 23% of landlords have expanded their rental portfolios over the past year, up from 19% last year.

The study of more than 2,000 landlords in England also found that the number of landlords selling properties has remained steady at 14%, compared to 13% in 2024.

Those who purchased properties in the past year bought an average of 2.5 properties each, a rise from 2.2 the previous year.

That figure outpaces the average of 2.3 properties sold by landlords during the same period.

Renters are struggling

Steve Harriott, the chief executive at TDS Group and a trustee at the Foundation, said: “Whilst cost pressures in the sector might be easing, many tenants are continuing to struggle to afford their rents.

“Measures in the Renters’ Rights Bill to help tenants challenge unreasonable rent increases will count for nothing unless they are equipped with the information about rents and provided with the detailed information that they need to exercise these rights effectively.”

He added: “Alongside this, it’s clear that many low-income tenants are continuing to struggle to cover their rents due to the ongoing freeze on housing benefit rates.”

Fewer landlords raise rents

The organisation says that the increase in available rental homes has coincided with a reduction in financial strain for tenants.

According to the survey, 56% of landlords raised rents over the past 12 months, down from 61% the year before.

A separate survey of private sector tenants conducted by the Foundation found that 32% of tenants are now struggling to afford rent.

That’s a slight improvement from 35% last year.

However, full-time students report a significant drop in affordability struggles, with the figure falling from 45% to 32%.