HTB comments on ONS rental data

20 August 2025

Alex Upton, Managing Director - Specialist Mortgages & Bridging Finance, Hampshire Trust Bank:

“Rents are still edging upwards, but there are signs that tenant demand has eased slightly over the summer. Propertymark’s latest Housing Insight report shows new tenant registrations in June fell to their lowest level in years, and the supply-demand imbalance has softened. There are now six applicants per property on average, compared to nearly ten at points last year.

Even so, a modest slowdown doesn’t change the underlying picture. We are still significantly short of the rental stock needed to meet demand, and that structural gap will keep upward pressure on rents for the foreseeable future.

That’s the key message for brokers and landlords. While the market may be adjusting at the margins, the long-term fundamentals haven’t shifted. Professional landlords will continue to invest in quality assets, and strategic portfolio planning remains essential. Securing the right funding and preparing for future regulation will be critical in navigating what comes next.

Over time, it’s also vital that we focus on the right kind of supply. A resilient rental market depends not just on volume, but on quality, accessibility and long-term affordability. Achieving that requires joined-up thinking, targeted investment and policy that supports both tenants and landlords.”