Buy-to-Let & Landlord News Round-Up | Oct 13, 2025

Policy & Regulation

• Renters’ Rights Bill back in Parliament tomorrow (14 Oct)
  The long-awaited Renters’ Rights Bill returns to Parliament for what’s expected to be its final stage before becoming law. This “ping-pong” between the Commons and Lords will determine the final wording ahead of Royal Assent.
  Landlords should now be preparing for:
  • The end of Section 21 evictions
  • Rolling tenancies as standard
  • Tighter rent review and notice rules
  • Stronger property standards enforcement
• Record landlord incorporations
  More landlords are shifting into limited company structures - nearly 6,500 incorporations in September alone, the highest monthly total on record. The move reflects continued tax pressure on private landlords and growing professionalisation in the sector.

Mortgage & Finance

• BTL rates stable but lenders warn: “don’t wait too long”
  Average BTL rates remain near their three-year lows - around 4.9% for two-year and 5.2% for five-year fixes - but some lenders are signalling rate reviews later this month.
  Product choice is strong (over 4,500 live deals), giving landlords a short window to refinance before potential Q4 tightening.
• Refinancing surge continues
  Remortgage activity remains elevated as landlords lock in new terms ahead of the Renters’ Rights reforms and November’s Budget.

Market Trends

• Listings slump ahead of Budget
  Both rental and sales instructions fell sharply through September, with landlords holding off decisions amid policy uncertainty. RICS data shows the biggest fall in new rental listings since mid-2020.
• Millennials reshape the BTL landscape
  For the first time, investors aged 28–44 now represent half of new buy-to-let entrants. Analysts say this younger cohort is focusing on energy-efficient stock and professional management, driving structural change in the market.

What This Means for Landlords

• Prepare for rapid reform: review tenancy agreements, rent-increase procedures and compliance standards before the RRB passes.
• Act on opportunity: if your fixed term ends in the next six months, consider refinancing now while rates remain competitive.
• Reassess structure: incorporation may offer tax efficiency and succession planning benefits - speak to your adviser before the Budget.
• Expect tightening supply: fewer new rental listings could sustain rent growth in many regions through winter.

📞 Contact your local Lettings Specialist for a tailored discussion about refinancing, portfolio planning, and preparing for the new regulatory landscape.