London Rents Are Stabilising, But Landlord Costs Aren’t - How Can Guaranteed Rent Help?

Guaranteed London Rent Is About Protecting What You Actually Take Home

For the past few years, rising rents have masked a bigger issue for landlords.

That’s now changing.

Across parts of London, rental growth is beginning to stabilise. In some areas, rents have plateaued. In others, increases are slowing compared to previous years.

At the same time, landlord costs continue to rise.

The Market Has Shifted

Demand for rental property in London remains strong. That hasn’t changed.

What has changed is:

• Tenant affordability is being stretched

• Rent increases are meeting resistance

• Properties priced too aggressively are sitting longer

In simple terms, the days of consistently pushing rents higher without consequence are fading.

Costs Are Still Moving in One Direction

While rent growth slows, costs are not.

Landlords are dealing with:

• Higher management fees (often 10–20% + VAT)

• Increasing compliance requirements

• Ongoing maintenance and repair costs

• Energy efficiency upgrades

• Longer and more complex legal processes

None of these are reducing.

The result is a squeeze on net income, even if headline rent looks strong.

The Hidden Cost of Holding Out for More Rent

One of the most common mistakes in a stabilising market is overvaluing.

A property marketed at £2,100 that sits empty for three weeks is not outperforming one let at £2,000 immediately.

Void periods are not theoretical.

RICS data shows the average landlord now experiences around 24 days of void per year.

On a £2,000 property, that’s roughly £1,600 lost annually, before re-letting costs.

Add:

• Cleaning

• Re-marketing

• Time spent arranging viewings

The “extra rent” quickly disappears.

Why Net Position Matters More Than Ever

This is where the conversation needs to shift.

It’s not about the highest possible rent on paper. It’s about what actually ends up in your account over 12 months.

When you factor in:

• Management fees

• Void periods

• Turnover costs

• Arrears risk

The gap between headline rent and real income becomes clear.

Where Guaranteed Rent Fits In

Guaranteed rent is designed around one principle: certainty.

When you rent to Apex:

• You receive fixed monthly income

• There are no void periods

• There are no management fees

• There is no arrears risk

• The property is professionally managed

You are not relying on:

• Tenant affordability

• Market timing

• Agent pricing strategy

You are agreeing a commercial figure that works over the long term.

A More Stable Way to Operate

In a rising market, chasing top rent can work.

In a stabilising market with rising costs, that approach becomes riskier.

More landlords are recognising that:

• Consistent income beats unpredictable peaks

• Net return matters more than headline rent

• Stability has a financial value

The London rental market is still active. Demand is still there.

But the environment has changed.

If rents are no longer rising at the same pace, and costs continue to increase, the focus needs to shift.

From headline rent… to net income. From short-term gain… to long-term stability.

If that’s the approach you’re taking, guaranteed rent starts to make a lot more sense.

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📧 propertyteam@apexhousingsolutions.co.uk