While buyer confidence has been affected by rising mortgage rates and wider economic uncertainty, rental demand across Surrey, Sussex and Kent remains strong. According to the latest ONS Private Rent and House Prices data, average monthly private rents in the South East reached £1,411 in March 2026 – well above the England average and continuing a decade-long upward trend that shows no sign of reversing. For landlords who are well-advised and well-prepared, the current climate represents an opportunity rather than a reason to pause.
Our landlord advice across Surrey, Sussex and Kent is consistent – the rental market and the sales market are operating very differently right now.
The Rental Market Is Moving Independently
It’s a common mistake to assume that when the sales market slows, the rental market follows. In practice, the opposite is often true. When buying becomes more difficult – whether due to higher mortgage rates, tighter lending criteria or general uncertainty – more people rent for longer. Demand from tenants doesn’t disappear. It concentrates.
Across our Lettings Team in Tunbridge Wells, Haywards Heath, Pulborough, Battle and Surrey Hills, we’re seeing consistent demand from tenants who are well-qualified, motivated and looking for quality managed properties. The landlords benefiting most right now are those with well-maintained, compliant properties and professional management in place.
Why Compliance Is Now Every Landlord’s Biggest Priority
If there’s one thing the current market is making clear, it’s that compliance is no longer optional – it’s a competitive advantage.
The Renters’ Rights Act, which came into force on 1 May 2026, has fundamentally changed the landscape for landlords across England. The abolition of Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, changes to tenancy structures and strengthened tenant rights mean that the days of informal, loosely managed tenancies are over. Full details are available on the government’s official guidance page.
With the introduction of the PRS Database coming in later this year, landlords who use professional agents to manage their properties will be able to delegate the workload involved and ensure they remain compliant under the new Renters’ Rights Act.
This isn’t a reason to exit the market. It’s a reason to get professional advice.
Landlords with well-managed, fully compliant properties are in a stronger position than ever – because the bar for entry has risen and those who don’t meet it are leaving. That means less competition for quality landlords and stronger demand for the properties that remain.
As an employee-owned business, our Lettings Team has a genuine stake in giving you accurate, honest compliance advice – not just telling you what you want to hear. That matters more than ever in a market where getting it wrong has real consequences.
If you’re looking for landlord advice in Surrey, Sussex or Kent, our Lettings Team is available across all five offices.
What Landlords in Surrey and Kent Are Asking Us Right Now
The questions we’re fielding most often from landlords across our five offices tell their own story:
- What do I need to do to comply with the Renters’ Rights Act?
- Are my EPCs up to date and what’s coming next on energy efficiency requirements?
- How do I handle rent reviews under the new tenancy framework?
- Is my property still a viable long-term investment?
These are good questions – and they’re being asked by serious, engaged landlords who want to get this right. If you haven’t asked them yet, now is the time.
Is Now a Good Time to Expand Your Portfolio?
For anyone seeking landlord advice in Surrey, Sussex and Kent and considering whether to add to their portfolio, the current market offers some genuine advantages. Property prices have softened slightly year on year, lending criteria have been reviewed and rental yields across Surrey, Sussex and Kent remain attractive relative to the purchase price.
The caveat, as always, is that professional advice matters. The right property in the right location with the right management structure is a sound long-term investment. The wrong property – poorly located, poorly presented or non-compliant – is an increasing liability.
What We’d Suggest
Whether you’re an existing landlord navigating the compliance changes, an accidental landlord wondering what to do next, or an investor considering your first rental property, the most useful thing you can do right now is have a conversation with your local Lettings Team.
As an employee-owned business, every member of our team has a genuine stake in getting your outcome right. We’re not chasing instructions. We’re building long-term relationships with landlords who want to do this properly.
Looking for landlord advice in Surrey, Sussex or Kent?
Our Lettings Team across all five offices are here to help – whether you’re navigating compliance changes, considering expanding your portfolio, or simply want an honest conversation about your property.