Bath & Bristol Rental Market Outlook: What Landlords Can Expect This Year
Find out what’s happening in Bath and Bristol’s rental market in 2026. In this article, we go over overall rental demand, why it has eased, and what’s expected for the year ahead. We also look at how new legislation is affecting landlords, how affordability pressures are impacting the market, how Bath and Bristol compare, and which types of properties are performing best.
Is rental demand lower?
Rental demand stayed pretty strong during 2025. In Bath, figures show rents rose 9% year-on-year to approximately £1,770 per month on average, while Bristol climbed around 5.9% in the year to November 2025, reaching about £1,858 per month.
We expect 2026 to be a year of slower rental growth, with a steady level of demand but reduced supply, which should help support the market. There is a great report from Zoopla that explains this in more detail:
https://www.zoopla.co.uk/discover/property-news/rental-market-report/
What does new legislation mean for landlords?
With the new Renters’ Rights Bill coming into force in April this year, landlords will need to be more careful. No-fault evictions have been abolished, fixed-term tenancies are being removed, and rent can now only be increased once per year.
Landlords will need to focus more on compliance and correct procedures to avoid fines under the new legislation. I explain this in more detail over on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/charliecookproperty/
How is affordability affecting landlords?
Tenants in both Bath and Bristol are feeling the pressure of rising living costs, making rents harder to afford. As a result, rent growth has begun to stall while demand catches up with supply.
This can be a positive shift for the market, as landlords are often encouraged to renovate and improve their properties to make them more appealing to tenants. You can check affordability for renting here:
https://rentright.co.uk/calcrent/
How Bath and Bristol compare in the property market
If you’re considering where to invest for buy-to-let, we can help. We have access to local market data that shows which areas offer the strongest yields. Get in touch here:
https://charliecookproperty.co.uk/contact/
Bath continues to have very tight supply, which helps keep demand strong, while Bristol also has a healthy rental market, although rents haven’t risen as sharply as Bath in recent years.
Conclusion
Overall, the rental market in Bath and Bristol is still in a strong position going into 2026, even though rent growth is starting to slow. Demand is still there, supply remains tight, and good-quality properties are continuing to perform well. With new legislation and affordability pressures, landlords will need to be more switched on, stay compliant, and be realistic with pricing. Those who adapt, improve their properties, and understand their local market are likely to be in the best position this year. Are you ready?
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Charlie Cook is a property consultant and managing agent based in Bristol, working with landlords across Bristol and Bath.
