What tenants want in their rental properties: priorities are shifting toward stability and cost, not just price. Landlords who communicate clearly, avoid relying on no-fault evictions, target the right property features for their tenant type (parking/garden for families, efficiency for singles and older renters), and get ahead of EPC and PRS Database/Ombudsman requirements early will be better placed to attract and retain tenants as the rental market tightens. In the rental market, What tenants want in their rental properties can differ drastically based on demographics, and truly understanding the desires of your target tenant demographic is crucial. By catering to their preferences, you can enhance the attractiveness of your investment property, increase your asking rent, reduce the risk of void periods and attract the kind of tenant you desire. Research from the Smart Investing study, which surveyed 600 tenants across the UK, gives a useful window into what different tenant groups are actually looking for. We've pulled together the key findings below, alongside a look at what the Renters' Rights Act 2025 means for landlords trying to meet those expectations in 2026.

Older Tenants Want Long-Term Rentals

There has been a notable uptick in the number of older individuals seeking rental housing. New research from the Association of British Insurers, published in July 2026, found that; 
“One in three pensioner households could be renting by 2044, with the number of pensioners in private rental accommodation projected to more than triple over the next twenty years.”
This is something the Smart Investing study corroborates, with this data indicating that renters aged 54 and above present an attractive prospect for landlords aiming to minimise tenant turnover. showing the lowest inclination of any age group to consider relocating within the next two years.  Most respondents in this bracket expressed intentions to remain in their rental properties for over 24 months, in contrast to younger age groups who were far more likely to consider a move within 6 to 12 months. So if tenant retention is a priority, older renters are worth serious consideration. It's also worth understanding what's changed for you as a landlord if you're relying on that long-term stability. Under the Renters' Rights Act 2025, which came fully into force on 1 May 2026, all tenancies are now periodic rather than fixed-term, and tenants can leave with two months' notice at any point. Retention isn't guaranteed just because a tenant wants to stay, so getting the property and the relationship right from day one matters more than ever.

Families Want More Space

Families with dependent children make up a substantial share of the private rented sector, and they tend to have distinct priorities compared to single renters or those without children, with a strong emphasis on proximity to schools, nurseries and colleges. As a result, families tend to stay in their rental accommodation for longer, seeking stability for their children's education and social connections, which is good news for landlords looking to avoid void periods. This is backed up by the Smart Investing research, which found that amenities like parking and garden space are particularly important for this group. 81.5% of respondents with children rated parking as important, while 83% said the same of garden space. If you're considering a property tailored to family needs, suburban areas typically offer a better supply of houses with gardens and parking than dense urban centres. There's also a legal dimension here that landlords need to be aware of. Under the Renters' Rights Act, it's now unlawful to refuse a tenant because they have children or receive benefits. If you've historically screened out family applicants for reasons unrelated to affordability or suitability, that practice needs to stop, both because it's now against the law and because families remain one of the more reliable long-term tenant groups.

Renting With Co-Tenants vs. Renting Alone

Around 21% of survey participants said they lived alone, which explains why this group tended to sit in the lowest rental bracket, typically £700 to £800 per month, reflecting their status as single-income households. Living independently, these tenants prioritise cost efficiency, with a preference for energy-saving features that keep bills down. Married or cohabiting tenants with dual incomes allocate more of their budget to rent, averaging £1,000 to £1,100 a month, and their priorities differ accordingly: parking comes up repeatedly as something this group is willing to pay extra for. If you're weighing up which properties to invest in, spacious one- and two-bedroom units with adequate parking provision tend to appeal strongly to this demographic. Affordability is worth keeping an eye on more broadly too. The latest ONS figures show that;
“Private renters on a median household income could expect to spend 36.3% of their income on an average-priced rented home in England.”
This is well above the 30% threshold generally considered affordable. That pressure shapes what tenants can realistically pay and what they'll prioritise when they're choosing between properties.

All Tenants Want BTR

Irrespective of location or age, Smart Investing survey participants overwhelmingly expressed a preference for transitioning to Build-to-Rent (BTR) developments in future, with 46% indicating that's where they'd like to move next. Individual landlords can't replicate a BTR development, but the data is still useful: it points to a demand for security and community that Private Rented Sector (PRS) tenants often feel is missing. Part of that comes down to uncertainty over long-term residency, whether that's a landlord selling up or reclaiming the property. BTR tenants don't tend to face the same worry, and they typically get access to a wider range of amenities too. There's a reason this feels topical in 2026 specifically. The government's PRS Landlord Ombudsman and PRS Database, both part of the Renters' Rights Act reforms, are designed to bring some of that same sense of accountability and transparency to the private rented sector. The Database begins rolling out region by region from late 2026, with the Ombudsman expected to follow.  As a landlord, being ahead of these changes, rather than scrambling to comply once they're mandatory, is one of the more straightforward ways to offer tenants some of that BTR-style reassurance without being a BTR developer.

Renters' Rights Act 2026: What It Means for Tenant Demand

The Renters' Rights Act's core reforms come into force on 1 May 2026. It was the biggest shake-up of the private rented sector in decades, and it changes some of the assumptions landlords have relied on when thinking about what tenants want.

A few of the headline changes:

  • Fixed-term tenancies are gone. Every tenancy is now a rolling periodic tenancy, and tenants can give two months' notice to leave at any time.
  • Section 21 "no-fault" evictions have been abolished. Landlords now need a valid, evidenced legal ground to regain possession.
  • Rent increases are limited to once a year, via a formal Section 13 notice, and tenants can challenge an increase they think is unfair through the First-tier Tribunal.
  • Rental bidding wars are banned. Landlords must advertise a fixed rent and can't accept offers above it.
  • Discrimination against tenants with children or on benefits is now unlawful.
  • A PRS Database and Landlord Ombudsman are on the way, rolling out from late 2026, bringing a level of accountability the sector hasn't had before.
The ban on discrimination against families with children isn't just a compliance requirement; it directly opens up a tenant group that Smart Investing's own research shows is one of the more reliable for reducing void periods.  The push toward PRS Database registration and Ombudsman membership is effectively the government trying to close the gap between PRS and BTR that tenants have consistently said they prefer. For landlords, the practical takeaway is that meeting tenant expectations and staying compliant with the Renters' Rights Act are no longer separate conversations. They're increasingly the same conversation.

Landlord Checklist: Meeting Tenant Expectations in 2026

If you're working through the process of renting out a property in 2026, whether that's your first buy-to-let or a portfolio refresh, here's a practical checklist that pulls together tenant preferences and your legal requirements as a landlord.

Before you buy or list:

  • Identify your target tenant demographic first. A property suited to families (garden, parking, near schools) is a very different proposition to one suited to young professionals or single renters (cost efficiency, energy performance, transport links).
  • Check the property's EPC rating and factor in upcoming minimum energy efficiency standards. Older tenants and cost-conscious single renters both rate energy-saving features highly.
  • Budget for the reality of the Renters' Rights Act: no more fixed-term security for you as the landlord, so factor tenant vetting and referencing into your process more carefully than you might have previously.

Ongoing requirements:

  • Rent can only be increased once per year, using a Section 13 notice. Build this into your annual planning rather than relying on ad hoc increases.
  • Keep an eye on the PRS Database rollout from late 2026. Registration will become mandatory as it reaches your region.
  • Understand the new possession grounds if you ever need to regain the property. Section 21 is gone, and every ground now requires evidence.

What Tenants Want in Their Rental Properties, and What You Can Control:

Tenant Priority What You Can Do as a Landlord
Long-term stability Provide clear communication, respond quickly to maintenance issues, and don’t rely on being able to end a tenancy without cause.
Parking and garden space (families, couples) Prioritise this when selecting or preparing a property, particularly for suburban stock.
Energy efficiency and lower bills (single renters, older tenants) Invest in EPC improvements ahead of any minimum standard deadlines.
Security and community (all demographics, BTR aspiration) Be proactive about PRS Database registration and Ombudsman membership once available, rather than waiting until it’s mandatory.

Explore the Smart Investing research

Understanding what tenants want in their rental properties isn't just about improving your rental yield; it's increasingly about staying compliant with a private rented sector that's changed significantly since May 2026.  Whether you're targeting families, couples, single renters or the growing number of older tenants entering the market, the properties and processes that will perform best are the ones built around what your target demographic actually values. If you're looking for guidance on managing your rental property, letting to the right tenant, or navigating the Renters' Rights Act as a landlord, get in touch with Miller Rose today.

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FAQ's

What tenants want in their rental properties in 2026? 

It varies by demographic, but the consistent themes are stability, affordability and, for families and couples, parking and outdoor space. Under the Renters' Rights Act, tenants also increasingly expect landlords to meet a higher standard of transparency and accountability.

What is the Renters' Rights Act and when did it come into force? 

The Renters' Rights Act 2025 received Royal Assent in October 2025, with its core reforms, including the abolition of Section 21 evictions and fixed-term tenancies, coming into force on 1 May 2026.

What should be on a landlord's checklist before renting out a property? 

At minimum: identifying your target tenant demographic, checking the property's EPC rating, providing a written statement of terms, setting a fixed advertised rent, and reviewing your tenant screening process to ensure it complies with the Act's anti-discrimination rules.

Do landlords still need to provide a written tenancy agreement? 

Yes. Even where a written statement of terms is used rather than a full tenancy agreement, tenants must be given this information before the tenancy begins. Failure to do so can result in a civil penalty of up to £7,000.

Are older tenants a good target demographic for landlords? 

Research suggests so. Smart Investing data shows renters aged 54+ are the least likely age group to consider moving within two years, and separate research from the ABI indicates the number of pensioners renting privately is set to rise sharply over the next two decades.