A recent report from the group reveals that almost a quarter (23%) of landlords have increased the number of properties they rent out over the past year. The data suggests growing confidence in the sector despite ongoing regulatory changes and economic pressures.

The findings indicate that many landlords are expanding their portfolios to meet rising rental demand, while others are repositioning themselves ahead of incoming legislation such as the Renters’ Rights Bill. Analysts say the trend points to a resilient segment of the housing market, with landlords seeking long-term stability and returns.

It explains that the rise in rental supply has coincided with a slight easing of financial pressures faced by tenants. While 56% of landlords said they had increased rents over the past 12 months, this was down from 61% the previous year.

It claims this is reflected in the foundation’s recent representative survey of private sector tenants, which has found a slight fall in the proportion of tenants saying they were struggling to afford their rent, which is now at 32%, down from 35% last year.

Affordability appears to be improving for full-time students in the rental market, with the proportion reporting financial difficulty falling from 45% last year to just 32% this year.

This change comes amid a broader slowdown in rental price growth across the UK. According to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics, average rents rose by 6.7% in the year to June 2025 down notably from a 9.1% surge recorded in the year to March 2024.

The findings are based on a comprehensive survey conducted by the Foundation, which gathered insights from more than 2,000 private landlords across England.

The chief executive of the group and trustee at the foundation says: “Whilst cost pressures in the sector might be easing, many tenants are continuing to struggle to afford their rents.”

“Measures in the Renters’ Rights Bill to help tenants challenge unreasonable rent increases will count for nothing unless they are equipped with the information about rents and provided with the detailed information that they need to exercise these rights effectively.

“Alongside this, it’s clear that many low-income tenants are continuing to struggle to cover their rents due to the ongoing freeze on housing benefit rates.”