As borrowing costs climb back to levels last seen in late 2023, landlords are being forced to rethink not only how they finance their portfolios, but how they sustain profitability in a more challenging and complex market.

Recent headlines have painted a picture of landlords rushing to evict tenants ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act—but the reality, looks different. New research suggests that just 1 in 10 landlords (9%) who are actively asking tenants to leave are doing so directly because of the upcoming legislative changes. So, what is happening behind the scenes?

Larger estate agencies are often the most visible. Their boards are dotted across neighbourhoods, their branding is familiar, and their presence—both online and on the high street—can feel reassuring. There’s a perception that if an agent has more listings, they must be doing something right.

Recent analysis indicates that a substantial volume of former buy-to-let properties is now entering the sales market at an accelerated pace. Landlords, are reassessing their portfolios amid evolving legislation, rising costs, and changing market dynamics. This steady increase in available housing stock could result in houses being more affordable,