The latest RICS UK Residential Survey for July 2026 reveals a housing market still under pressure, with landlord instructions dropping to -27%. This means more landlords are pulling properties off the market than adding them. The reduction in rental stock is tightening supply, which typically supports rents, but the broader market remains subdued.
Buyer demand is also falling, reflecting ongoing affordability challenges and economic uncertainty. The combination of fewer landlords and hesitant buyers creates a bottleneck. Investors face a shrinking pool of available rental properties, while owner-occupiers encounter limited choice and less competition in some areas.
Data from RICS shows this trend is not isolated but consistent across regions, suggesting a structural shift rather than a short-term blip. For investors, the shrinking landlord base could signal opportunities for those able to navigate tighter margins and regulatory complexities. However, the overall climate demands caution given the persistent drop in transaction volumes and the risk of further supply constraints.
Source: Property118
