Investec Bank (Channel Islands) says Crown Dependencies-based investors with exposure to the UK mainland rental market should pay close attention to the impact of the Renters’ Rights Bill.
The proposed reforms are expected to change how landlords and property investors operate across England and could have implications for offshore investors who own, finance or are considering residential rental property on the UK mainland.
According to Investec’s analysis of the London market, landlords began leaving the sector after the Bill was first proposed in September 2024. Former rental properties reached a peak share of homes listed for sale during the first quarter of 2025, while many of those properties have not returned to the rental market, suggesting a reduction in available rental stock.
The bank also noted that median rents for new lets in London have remained broadly stable, indicating that affordability pressures continue to constrain rental growth despite tighter supply.
The developments come as Jersey and Guernsey implement changes to their own housing regulations.
In Jersey, the Residential Tenancy (Jersey) Amendment Law 2025 came into force on 15 April 2026, introducing changes designed to strengthen protections for tenants and landlords while providing clearer processes around notice periods, tenancy types and rent increases.
In Guernsey, elements of new housing standards legislation came into force on 1 July 2025, including minimum standards, enforcement provisions and the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, raising baseline requirements for landlords.
Investec said the combined effect of these changes points to a broader trend towards increased regulation and higher operational requirements across residential rental markets.
Hollie Sleigh (pictured), Head of Offshore Real Estate Lending at Investec, said: “For investors based offshore, the important point is that regulatory change is not confined to one market. While the UK Renters’ Rights Bill is reshaping the mainland rental landscape, where we expect clients to look more closely at structure, scale and operational capacity, we are also seeing important developments in Jersey and Guernsey that raise standards and increase expectations for landlords locally.
“As the mainland market becomes more regulated, investors based in the islands are likely to place even more value on careful asset selection, resilient income and the right financing strategy. For well-capitalised investors, that may create opportunities, but it will also require a clear understanding of how the operating environment is changing.”
