97% of landlords set to raise rents - Chancellor urged to act

London, UK – 17 November 2025 – In the run-up to the Autumn Budget, the Chancellor has today been warned that, without targeted support for landlords, rent rises will accelerate and hit tenants hardest.

Exclusive polling by August, the UK’s leading rental management app, shows that 97% of landlords plan to raise rents unless the 26 November Budget eases pressures on the private rented sector (PRS).

Landlords say the top reasons they are preparing to increase rents are:

• 40% – higher mortgage and maintenance costs

• 30% – efforts to pre-empt future rent restrictions

• 17% – rising compliance and regulatory costs

• 10% – reduced flexibility with tenants, such as tighter rules on evictions and arrears

With mortgage costs, maintenance bills and compliance requirements all rising, landlords say they feel they have little choice but to pass costs on with tenants set to bear the brunt unless the Autumn Budget offers a clearer, more stable framework.

“Costs are cascading through the system and landing on tenants”

Samuel Cope, Founder of August, said:

“Costs are cascading through the system and landing on tenants. I have today written to the Chancellor ahead of the Autumn Budget – she should steady financing and compliance pressures. Ignore this, and rent rises will quicken while affordability worsens. She risks unleashing rental hell upon both landlords and tenants alike.”

Cope added:

“Landlords are not asking for special treatment. They are asking for a predictable, stable environment in which they can plan, invest and keep good tenants for longer. The Budget is a chance to restore confidence before more landlords exit and rents spiral even further.”

Why this matters now

For tenants and landlords across the UK, August’s findings highlight two immediate risks:

1. Affordability crunch for renters – Almost all landlords surveyed expect to raise rents unless the Autumn Budget addresses their cost base, putting additional pressure on already-stretched household finances.

2. Reduced supply and less flexibility – With landlords citing reduced flexibility with tenants and growing compliance burdens, many are considering selling or tightening their terms, which could further squeeze supply and reduce choice for renters.

August warns that a combination of higher borrowing costs, inflation in repair and maintenance, and an increasingly complex compliance regime is pushing smaller landlords to the brink – particularly those who have historically kept rents below market level to retain long-term tenants.

What landlords say they need from the Autumn Budget

Landlords surveyed by August pointed to three areas where the Autumn Budget could help stabilise the sector:

• More predictable tax and regulatory policy so landlords can invest for the long term instead of reacting to frequent rule changes.

• Recognition of rising compliance costs, particularly around safety, licensing and documentation, which many landlords currently absorb themselves.

• Support for responsible, long-term landlords who keep properties well maintained and tenancies stable, rather than treating all landlords as speculative investors.

August will publish further analysis of the polling data in the coming days and is calling on policymakers to engage directly with everyday landlords – not just large institutional players – before finalising the Budget.

About August

August is the UK’s number one rental app, helping landlords and tenants manage properties and tenancies in one place. The platform simplifies:

• Compliance – guiding landlords through key safety and legal requirements

• Rent tracking – keeping on top of payments and arrears

• Maintenance – logging issues, organising repairs and tracking progress

• Documentation – keeping everything in one clear record

By making it easier to run compliant, well-managed tenancies, August helps landlords provide better homes while giving tenants greater transparency and peace of mind.

Media enquiries

Press@augustapp.com