9:33 AM, 20th March 2026, 2 months ago 
Demand continues to overtake supply as landlords leave the
market due to the Occupants’Rights Act, claims a new report. Propertymark’s Real estate Insight report exposes the number of registrations per member branch has leapt to 87, with the average number of candidates per member branch sitting at 7 individuals per residential or commercial property.
The news comes as the Occupants’ Rights Act will become law on 1 May 2026.
PRS property owners have no confidence in the government
A Propertymark member agent from the South West informed the report: “The Tenants’ Rights Act is making more single property landlords leave the marketplace. Social housing is non-existent, and the local authority is insisting that renters do stagnate until they receive the bailiff letter. All intensifying the reasons that private rented sector landlords have no self-confidence in the federal government.”
An agent in Yorkshire said: “Lots of scared property managers and a lot more worried renters, individuals actually having a hard time to protect rental home in our area.”
According to the report, 63% of member representatives reported that rents stayed normally static, and 17% reported a boost.
Difficulty is accessibility
Phil Spencer, founder of MoveiQ, discusses renters are having a hard time to find a location to live.
He said: “For renters, the difficulty is still schedule. With demand far outpacing supply in many locations, competitors for rental homes stays extreme, which can make securing a residential or commercial property demanding and lengthy.
“The favorable takeaway is that the marketplace is functioning and deals are continuing to occur. For buyers and occupants alike, preparation is key, whether that means getting finances in order before house hunting or acting quickly when the right home appears.
“As the year progresses, lots of will be hoping that improvements in the larger economy start to relieve the pressure on family spending plans and make moving a little easier.”
Supply remains constrained
Nathan Emerson, chief executive of Propertymark, stated: “Within the lettings market, demand continues to outstrip supply, with an average of seven applicants contending for each offered residential or commercial property. Although stock levels have edged somewhat up, supply remains constrained, and this imbalance is most likely to stay a key difficulty for occupants and agents alike throughout the year.
“Overall, the data points to a market that is stabilising instead of surging. Activity is returning after seasonal downturns, however the rate of recovery will stay closely connected to inflation trends, rate of interest choices, and broader economic confidence during 2026.”
Increase in viewings
In the sales market, the average variety of viewings per readily available residential or commercial property increased compared to the previous month, reaching 2.2 per home.
Market appraisal volumes, which show future supply, reveal that the average variety of appraisals conducted per member branch stood at 21.
Mr Spencer said the data for the sales market reveals a more thought about pace amongst buyers: “What we are seeing in this information is that individuals haven’t stopped moving, but they are being more determined in their choices.
“The increase in viewings recommends buyers have actually begun to actively explore their choices again, while steady purchaser registrations show that need is returning, even if people are taking longer to dedicate.”