Buy-to-let costs outpace rental income
Tuesday 1st September, 2026
UK buy-to-let landlords’ costs rose twice as fast as rental income over five years, with expenses now taking nearly 60% of rental income.
This gives Rightmove a chance to comment on how rising landlord costs could affect rental supply, prices and choices for tenants across the UK.
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Why have we flagged this?
Rising buy-to-let costs and landlord pressures are major housing news, giving you an opportunity to provide rental demand, listing and regional market data.
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Thinking...
These are starting points for inspiration, not finished ideas.
Data idea
Compare rents for energy-efficient and inefficient homes
Show whether rental listings with higher EPC ratings command higher asking rents as landlords face tougher efficiency requirements.
Data to investigate: Analyse your rental listing data to compare asking rents for homes rated A-C with those rated D-G.
Why: It turns an abstract regulatory cost into a practical question renters and landlords will understand.
Expert comment
Explain why rising rents may not mean stronger landlord returns
Position the cost surge as evidence that headline rent growth is masking falling net returns and could affect future rental supply.
Expert comment angle: Have Rightmove’s property expert offer this view to the BBC, Guardian and consumer finance desks.
Why: It adds a useful market consequence to the HMRC figures and gives journalists a clear explanation of what happens next.
Newsjack
Create a true cost of renting guide
Help renters see how rent, energy efficiency and likely household costs combine when comparing properties.
Newsjack angle: Build a simple guide using live Rightmove listings and pitch the findings to consumer finance and housing journalists.
Why: It gives the cost story a useful consumer follow-up while showing how property standards affect household budgets.