Across the UK and here in Shepperton, the property market remains surprisingly active despite the issues at home and abroad. House prices are steady, buyers are still being selective, and the market itself is evolving.

Since the mid 2000s, Britain has been told the same bad news housing stories. Young people have been locked out of homeownership. Deposits are impossible to save. Mortgage rules are too strict. And ‘Generation Rent’ is now permanent. According to the narrative by the newspapers, younger generation homeownership has collapsed.

The rental market remains active in May 2026, but conditions are changing. Demand is still strong, rent growth has eased, and tenant expectations are rising. Here is what landlords should be thinking about now.

For decades, the flat was the natural starting point for many first-time home buyers. The first rung of the ladder. The affordable option. The stepping stone to something bigger. For landlords, it was a dependable investment. For first-time buyers, it was often the only way in.