Six in 10 tenants say Renters’ Rights Act improves their housing protections and conditions
- Awareness of the Renter’s Rights Act 2025 has increased amongst tenants from 19 per cent in October after the bill passed, to 60 per cent when it came into effect
- 19 per cent of renters are now more likely to remain in their current property but 45 per cent are concerned about the legislation’s long-term impact on rental supply and costs
- For homeowners, upfront costs are deterring further investment, with second-home buyers needing £86k on average for a deposit, tax and associated expenses
- Three quarters of Baby Boomers say they do not plan to use their property to help fund their retirement, while 31 per cent see their home as a legacy for family rather than a financial asset
- Over 60s buying new property still seek larger ‘family’ homes, as Barclays mortgage data shows 56.2 per cent of purchases in the last year were detached or semi-detached houses
- Barclays Property Insights analyses proprietary mortgage data alongside consumer research to uncover the key trends shaping the UK housing market
The latest Barclays Property Insights report finds that since the Bill passed in October, awareness and positivity around the Renters’ Rights Act has dramatically increased amongst tenants. However, many Brits are concerned that in the long-term supply could decrease, pushing up rents. Existing homeowners are also reporting wariness about investing in additional property due to growing cost and complexity, while older homeowners are prioritising keeping their current home as a legacy.
Renters are responding positively to reforms introduced through the Renters’ Rights Act which came into effect on 1 May 2026, with a significant increase in support since the legislation first passed. Six in 10 (60 per cent) say they are aware of the Act and what it aims to achieve (up from 19 per cent in October) and 62 per cent of renters believe it will improve their housing conditions and protections (up from 33 per cent). A further 61 per cent also feel it will make it easier for tenants to challenge unfair treatment from landlords, compared to 28 per cent in October.
This is already influencing behaviour, with 19 per cent of renters saying they are more likely to remain in their current property as a result of the changes. However, there is growing wariness over the longer-term impacts of the legislation. In October, a quarter of renters (24 per cent) were concerned the limitations on evictions and bidding wars could cause rents to increase, which has risen to 45 per cent. Meanwhile the same proportion worry the reforms could lead to landlords leaving the market and reducing supply.
Second homes less attractive
One in 10 (11 per cent) homeowners are considering buying an additional property within the next two years. However, many are cautious – a fifth (22 per cent) say that they would like to own another property, but it feels unaffordable. High maintenance and running costs are the top cited barriers (28 per cent), a quarter (24 per cent) highlight the time required to manage a property, and 21 per cent point to stamp duty costs. For those who have considered or already purchased a second home, the average deposit required is £50,340, alongside stamp duty (£29,849) and third-party costs (£5,698), bringing the total upfront cost to £85,887 on average.
Reluctance to take on landlord responsibilities is also shaping behaviour. Around seven in 10 (69 per cent) homeowners say they would not want to be a landlord due to cost and complexity, while 48 per cent believe owning an additional property is too financially risky in the current economic environment.
Attitudes are also shifting when it comes to buying property as an investment, with many concerned for the impact on the wider landscape as well as returns. More than a third (36 per cent) believe owning additional properties adds pressure to the housing market, while 34 per cent would prefer to invest in the stock market instead of property.
Nests over nest-eggs
Over half (52 per cent) of Baby Boomers – aged 62 to 80 – are already or expect to be mortgage free by the time they retire. Asked about their income, three quarters (76 per cent) say they do not plan to access funds from their property to help fund their retirement. Three in 10 (31 per cent) say their home is intended as a legacy for their family rather than a financial asset. In contrast, a small proportion (8 per cent) report they have, or intend to, move to a smaller property to unlock funds for retirement, and 5 per cent intend to use equity release.
Barclays mortgage data shows that over-60s who do purchase new properties choose houses over typically smaller properties, such as flats or bungalows. In part, this is due to the distribution of housing in the UK, particularly a shortage of bungalows.
| Mortgage completions by age and house type, April 2025 – April 2026 (inclusive) | |||||
| Age | Detached | Semi-detached | Terrace | Flat or maisonette | Bungalow |
| 18-27 | 11.8% | 36.2% | 28.7% | 20.6% | 2.6% |
| 28-43 | 25.1% | 34.7% | 24.4% | 13.0% | 2.9% |
| 44-59 | 30.4% | 31.6% | 23.1% | 9.8% | 5.1% |
| 60+ | 29.0% | 27.2% | 21.9% | 12.1% | 9.6% |
In addition, older buyers, who are typically more affluent, purchase higher value homes compared to younger generations. Properties bought by those aged over 60 are 25.1 per cent more expensive than purchases by those aged 28 to 43, and 79.3 per cent more expensive than those bought by under 27s.
Households continue to build resilience
Amid ongoing economic uncertainty resulting from the conflict in the Middle East, households report making changes to reduce their monthly outgoings. Many are cutting back on energy use (61 per cent) and non-essential spending (32 per cent), while nearly three in 10 mortgage holders (27 per cent) say they are making overpayments on their loan to protect against interest rate volatility.
Jatin Patel, Head of Mortgages, Savings and Insurance at Barclays, said:
“As deposit challenges persist, the measures of the Renters’ Rights Act to curb steep rent increases could give tenants more scope to save, and in turn widen access to the property ladder. However, the longer-term impacts on rental housing remain to be seen, as homeowners weigh up investment in bricks and mortar against other asset classes.
“For most, property is about far more than finances. It provides stability and plays a key role in family legacy, and many retirees do not need to supplement their income through property. ‘Right-sizing’ still has an important part to play in unlocking housing supply, but it will only gain traction if there are clear and meaningful incentives.”
Julien Lafargue, Chief Market Strategist at Barclays, said:
“The interest rate environment remains challenging, with domestic political uncertainty compounded with the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Even so, the UK economy continues to demonstrate resilience, suggesting that once these headwinds ease, conditions should improve.”
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