Rents increased for the fourth consecutive month during April (Goodlord)

Rents across England rose again in April, marking the fourth straight month of increases and reinforcing what many investors see as a resilient period for the rental market. The latest figures from the Goodlord Rental Index indicate growing strength in the sector, with average monthly rents now standing at £1,185 -a 1.2% increase on March and nearly 8% higher than the same time last year.

The continued rise in rents comes from a tightening of available stock and sustained demand from renters. For landlords and buy-to-let investors, this dynamic is reinforcing returns at a time when many have been weighing the impact of rising borrowing costs and evolving regulation.

Regional data shows a particularly strong performance in the South West and East Midlands, both registering monthly growth of over 2%. London, already the UK’s most expensive rental market, saw a further uptick of 0.9%. Even traditionally more affordable areas such as the North West recorded month-on-month increases, highlighting the widespread nature of demand.

These figures suggest a robust investment environment, particularly for landlords who have maintained or upgraded their properties in response to shifting tenant priorities. With the market showing few signs of cooling, returns for landlords- both in terms of income and capital appreciation - continue to look promising.

One contributing factor is the ongoing imbalance between supply and demand. While the number of available rental properties remains subdued, appetite from tenants remains strong, bolstered by changing lifestyle patterns and barriers to homeownership. For investors, this means high occupancy rates and shorter void periods -critical elements in sustaining cash flow.

At the same time, the push towards higher energy efficiency standards, such as the anticipated requirement for EPC rating improvements by 2030, is beginning to reshape the sector. While these changes require investment, they also offer a long-term opportunity: properties that meet or exceed environmental benchmarks are increasingly attractive to tenants and may qualify for favourable mortgage products or government incentives.

Indeed, some lenders are now offering larger loans or better rates for landlords with energy-efficient portfolios -a move that could help forward-thinking investors future-proof their assets while reducing operating costs in the long term.

Despite occasional political uncertainty around potential reforms, including the delayed Renters Reform Bill, the fundamentals are still solid. Rental yields in many regional cities -including Manchester, Birmingham, and Liverpool -continue to outpace inflation, and with limited new housing coming to market, the upward pressure on rents is likely to persist.

As April’s figures show, the rental sector remains one of the most reliable performers in the UK property landscape. For landlords and investors positioned to meet regulatory and tenant expectations, the current climate offers strong, sustainable returns in a market that continues to trend upward.