Rental supply is falling. Rents are rising again. New landlord rules are coming. House price growth remains weak. September brought several changes for landlords, buyers, sellers and tenants. Here’s what happened and what it means for the property market.

1. Rental Supply Falls as Rents Rise Again

The rental market is tightening once more. Zoopla reported that the number of homes available to rent is now 3% lower than a year ago, while new rental listings are down 6%. Enquiries have also risen to 5.3 per rental property, the highest level in almost two years. Average UK rents have risen 2.6% over the past year to around £1,340 a month. Zoopla expects rental growth to reach 4% to 5% by the end of 2026.

Why it matters

Fewer available properties and strong tenant demand are putting upward pressure on rents. Landlords with well-presented properties are in a stronger position, while tenants have fewer options to choose from.

How We Help

Cribs Estates helps landlords market properties, find and reference tenants, collect rent and manage ongoing tenancy requirements. For landlords, the key is making sure your property is priced correctly and presented well from the start.

2. New Landlord Registration Scheme Starts This Winter

A new national landlord registration service is coming to England. The scheme will begin on 15 December 2026, starting in the West Midlands before rolling out across other regions. Landlords will need to register their properties and provide information including property details, tenancy information, and health and safety certificates. Registration will cost £65 per property each year.

What landlords need to know

Registration will become a legal requirement. Landlords who fail to register within the required timeframe risk enforcement action. The rollout will also eventually require registration details to appear on rental adverts.

How We Help

Cribs Estates already works with landlords on compliance checks, safety certificates, tenant management and property management. With more information required from landlords, keeping property records and certificates up to date will become even more important.

3. House Price Growth Slows to 0.8%

The sales market remains challenging. Zoopla reported that annual house price growth has slowed to around 0.8%. At the same time, flat prices have fallen for 15 consecutive months. The difference between property types and regions is also becoming clearer. More affordable areas are seeing stronger price growth, while higher-cost parts of southern England are under greater pressure from higher mortgage costs.

What this means for sellers

Buyers have more choice, so pricing a property correctly is becoming increasingly important. An unrealistic asking price can mean fewer enquiries, longer marketing periods and more pressure to reduce the price later.

How We Help

Cribs Estates provides property valuations and markets homes across leading property portals, supported by professional photography, virtual tours and floorplans. The right starting price matters more in a market where buyers are comparing more options.

4. Landlords Face Tougher Compliance Rules

September also brought another warning for landlords. The maximum civil penalty for relevant Housing Act offences has increased from £30,000 to £40,000. This includes operating an HMO or other property without a required licence and failing to meet licence conditions. Councils are also introducing or expanding local licensing schemes in different areas.

Why it matters

Compliance is becoming a bigger part of being a landlord. Licensing, safety checks, Right to Rent requirements and property standards all need proper attention. For HMO landlords in particular, overlooking a requirement can become an expensive mistake.

How We Help

Cribs Estates offers HMO and full property management services, including compliance support, maintenance management, inspections and advice on legislation. Good property management is no longer only about collecting rent. Keeping the property compliant is just as important.

5. Tenant Referencing Matters More Than Ever

Tenant referencing has come under the spotlight as financial pressure on households continues. Landlord Today reported almost 1.02 million new consumer County Court Judgements in England and Wales during 2025, an 11.6% increase from the previous year. A survey of landlords found that 41.7% rely on their letting agent to manage tenant referencing.

Why it matters

With changes to rental rules and restrictions around advance rent, landlords have fewer financial buffers once a tenancy begins. Thorough checks before a tenancy starts are therefore becoming increasingly important.

How We Help

Cribs Estates provides tenant finding and referencing as part of its landlord services, helping landlords make more informed decisions before a tenancy begins. Good referencing starts before the keys are handed over.

What’s Your Next Property Move?

September shows a property market moving in two different directions. Rental demand remains strong while supply is tightening, putting upward pressure on rents. At the same time, higher borrowing costs are keeping buyers cautious and limiting house price growth. For landlords, regulation is also becoming a bigger part of property ownership.

The market is not standing still. Landlords, buyers and sellers who stay informed and prepare early will be better placed as we move towards the end of 2026. Stay connected with Cribs Estates for the latest property news and local market insights.