A lettings industry supplier claims a quarter of landlords increased their rents recently, before restrictions kicked in last week.

The Renters Rights Act limits rent increases to once per year.

Inventory Base analysed data from the Office for National Statistics comparing average rent growth in the first quarter of 2026 with the same period in 2025. 

The aim was to assess whether rents have been rising more rapidly this year in anticipation of the Act.

Between January and March 2026, the average rent in England increased by 0.77%, reaching a norm of £1,434 per month. 

While several regions reported average increases, about three quarters did not – this is the evidence the firm uses to make its claim about 25% of landlords.

A spokesperson says: “These figures suggest a far more measured response [to the Act]. That should provide reassurance to renters who may have been bracing for sharp, short-term increases with the new rules coming into force.

“In the longer term, the legislation should encourage greater stability in the private rental sector, but it may also lead to more decisive pricing at the start of a tenancy, as landlords look to future-proof against more limited flexibility.”