Latest: April property market report

April is always a fascinating month in the UK property calendar. With two bank holidays encouraging viewings and moving plans, we also saw a wave of Q1 data that gives us a clear picture of how the 2026 property market is shaping up.

The first observation was an important one.

According to the TwentyCi Q1 2026 Property & Homemover Report, homeowners are saving £493 per month on average compared to tenants. In London, that saving is close to £1,000 per month.

Rather than being negative for landlords, this is creating movement in the market — motivating tenants to review their options, speak to agents, and reassess their next steps.

Mortgage payments cheaper than rents is driving market activity

Despite recent inflation and mortgage rate fluctuations, the data shows that mortgage repayments are now lower than rental costs across the UK.

The report also highlighted that lenders are increasingly offering 5.5 to 6 times income mortgage products, making home ownership more accessible.

Why this is positive for landlords and agents:
Tenants are actively seeking advice, valuations, and guidance. This creates opportunities for:

• Portfolio reviews
• Sales instructions from landlords
• Tenants becoming first-time buyers through your sales arm
• New landlords entering the market as yields rise (see below)

More sales making it to completion

Moving on to more quarterly news. Fall through rates – when an agreed sale fails to complete – are a good indicator of the health of the market. TwentyEA data released in April revealed fall-throughs are on a downward trend, decreasing from 24% in Q1 2025 to 23.7% in Q1 2026.

Looking at the analysis in more detail, fall-through rates fell in 10 of the UK’s 13 regions. This represented an annual reduction of -1.3%. Scotland (-6.3%) and Wales (-5.7%) showed the most pronounced drop in fall-throughs.

So, how are we starting Q2 of 2026? Rightmove was first past the post with its April House Price Index. New sellers listing on the portal upped their asking price. This increased +0.8% (+£2,929) between March and April. The UK’s new average asking price is £373,971.

The Index also showed the number of days a property is taking to find a buyer has fallen. It took 81 days back in January this year. The decline saw the figure drop to 73 days in February and 66 in March.

The rental equivalent of Rightmove’s report - the HomeLet Rental Index – also made a significant claim in April. It said UK rents rose for the first time since October 2025. The UK’s average new tenancy now costs £1,311 per month – a +0.8% rise on the last monitoring period.

Rental inflation tops 3% up north

The latest Rental Index from HomeLet showed:

• Average new rent: £1,311 per month
• Quarterly increase: +0.8%
• Annual rental inflation: +1.8%

Rental inflation is strongest in:

• Scotland: +3.6%
• North East: +3.2%
• Yorkshire & Humberside: +2.8%

This reinforces continued strong rental demand across the UK.

While landlords are naturally interested in the rent their buy-to-let can achieve, of greater concern will be the yield. The latest news from Fleet Mortgages revealed 2026 has got off to a great start. Its Rental Barometer also reflects quarterly trends in Q1 2026.

Landlord yields increased 

For landlords, yield is key.

The latest Rental Barometer from Fleet Mortgages revealed:

• Average UK rental yield now 8.1%
• Up 0.4% from Q4 2025
• North East leads with 9.8%
• Midlands, Wales, North West & Yorkshire all reporting 8%+
• Greater London at 6.1%, still rising

Healthy yields are attracting new investors and encouraging existing landlords to hold or expand.

Healthy yields are why 8 out of 10 landlords are reporting a profit. This was the number recorded by Pegasus Money/Pegasus Insights when it analysed the current landlord sector. The research also found the average rental property generates £11,363 annually, or around £947 per month, in gross rental income. Overall, the average gross rental income from a landlord’s portfolio is £75,000 per annum. 

What This Means for Lettings & Property Management Clients

April’s data paints a very positive picture for the sector:

• Tenants are engaging and reviewing their options
• Sales activity is increasing and completing more reliably
• Rents are rising again
• Yields are improving in every region
• Landlords remain profitable
• Investors are re-entering the market

This is a market that is active, mobile and opportunity-rich.

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Want to Know What This Means for Your Property or Portfolio?

If you’d like tailored advice on what these trends mean for your property, portfolio, or next move, get in touch with our team today.