Landlords want agents to source lower-risk tenants
Summary
Handelsbanken’s 2026 Property Investor Report says higher operating, compliance and upgrade costs are prompting many landlords to tighten tenant selection and, in some cases, raise rents earlier than planned. The report also suggests some investors are selling or removing properties from the rental market, while others continue to expect portfolio growth and rising values.
Why it matters
The findings point to changing landlord behaviour that may affect tenant demand, arrears risk and the quality of rental stock. Surveyors involved in valuation, lettings, and rental property assessment should note the pressure on maintenance, insurance and energy-efficiency spending, as well as the potential for deferred works.
Key points
- 41% of property investors say higher costs have led them to switch to lower-risk tenants.
- 59% say they are tightening tenant selection criteria in response to the Renters Rights Act.
- Maintenance/repairs, insurance and energy-efficiency upgrades are the most commonly reported rising costs.
- 46% say higher costs have delayed upgrades or improvement works, raising concerns about stock deterioration.
- Despite cost pressures, 84% plan to increase portfolio holdings over the next 12 months.
This is an RPSA summary of a publicly available article. The full content remains with the original publisher.
