For tenants, April is a useful point to pause and plan. With rents still rising across the UK and the first phase of rental reform approaching in England, this is a good time to review your budget, renewal options and next move.

More households are reassessing space in early 2026. If your home feels tighter than it once did, this spring may offer the right conditions to move up.

Rental demand remains resilient in early 2026, but growth has moderated. For landlords, spring is less about reacting and more about refining strategy.

If you read our recent guide on the upcoming rental reforms, you will know that the biggest changes to the private rented sector in a generation are just around the corner. Phase 1 of the Renters' Rights Act comes into effect on 1 May 2026, and for landlords, the time to prepare is now, not next month.