Renters’ Rights Act accelerated summer tenant demand
Summary
Foxtons reports that the Renters’ Rights Act appears to have shifted London lettings activity earlier into the summer, with demand spread more evenly and the usual August peak softened. The index also shows higher supply than last year, while tenant registrations are down year to date and competition for available rental homes has increased.
Why it matters
Residential property surveyors with lettings, valuation or investment exposure should note the changing timing of tenant demand and the apparent resilience of landlord supply in London. These shifts may affect rental evidence, void assumptions and short-term market interpretation while the reforms bed in.
Key points
- Foxtons says the Renters’ Rights Act brought forward tenant demand into earlier summer weeks.
- New listings were 2.9% ahead of last year, suggesting supply remained relatively strong.
- Tenant registrations were 12.3% below 2025 year to date, but competition rose to 24 renters per new listing in August.
- Average renter budgets were £571 per week in August, with Central London leading at £632.
- Foxtons describes 2026 as a year of adjustment rather than a settled new normal.
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