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It has been a turbulent few weeks for the private rented sector, and landlords would be forgiven for finding it difficult to keep track of the pressures stacking up. Here is a straightforward summary of where things stand.
Rents are rising again — but modestly
After four consecutive months of declines, average UK rents ticked upward in March 2026. The HomeLet Rental Index puts the average UK rent at £1,311 — a 0.8% increase on February's £1,301 and 1.8% higher than March 2025. Excluding London, the picture is slightly more subdued, with average rents across the rest of the UK rising by £5 month-on-month to £1,125, sitting 1.6% above the same point last year.
Regionally, the North East recorded one of the stronger annual increases at 3.2%, which is relevant context for landlords in and around Wynyard. Eight of the UK's regions saw monthly rent increases in March; four saw small decreases. Despite the uptick, average rents nationally remain 2.5% below the peak recorded last October, suggesting the market is stabilising rather than accelerating.
HomeLet's commentary on the figures noted that affordability pressures have not eased, but that both landlords and tenants appear to be settling into a pattern of smaller, more incremental increases rather than the sharp rises seen in earlier years. With the Renters' Rights Act due to come into force on 1 May, their advice to landlords is to focus on sustainable tenancies rather than pushing rents to the limit of what the market will bear.
Mortgage costs have risen sharply
The more pressing concern for many landlords right now is the cost of borrowing. Data from Moneyfacts shows buy-to-let fixed mortgage rates have climbed significantly in recent weeks, driven by rising swap rates linked to instability in the Middle East. The two-year fixed rate has reached its highest point in a year, and the five-year fixed its highest in two years. For a landlord with a £250,000 loan on a 25-year term, the annual repayment cost has risen by around £1,100 compared with the start of March alone.
Product choice has also contracted sharply. Around 1,300 buy-to-let deals have been pulled from the market since the start of March, leaving total product availability at its lowest level since November 2025.
Rachel Springall of Moneyfacts was direct about what this means: higher borrowing costs put pressure on landlords that can either translate into higher rents for tenants or, if landlords decide the numbers no longer add up, a reduction in the supply of available properties.
Regulatory costs are adding up
Beyond the mortgage market, landlords are simultaneously preparing for the Renters' Rights Act and looking ahead to the EPC C rating requirement, which is expected to apply to all tenancies by October 2030 with a spending cap of up to £10,000 per property. For some landlords, particularly those with older or less energy-efficient stock, that will require investment planning sooner rather than later.
Megan Eighteen, president of ARLA Propertymark, has expressed real concern that the cumulative weight of rising mortgage costs, regulatory change, and compliance spending will prompt more landlords to consider leaving the sector altogether — which would only worsen the supply pressures that are already keeping rents elevated.
The practical takeaway
None of this makes for comfortable reading, but being across these developments allows for better decision-making. Whether you are reviewing your portfolio, approaching a remortgage, or planning for upcoming legislation, taking proper advice now is considerably less costly than being caught out later.
Thinking of Letting in Wynyard?
If you’re looking for guidance on Wynyard’s rental market, our team is here to help. No one can predict the future with certainty, but at Anthony Jones Properties, we’re committed to helping you make the best decisions.
For expert advice, call us today on 01740 807107.
