A new poll commissioned by CIA Landlords has revealed “rental relocation” pressure, with 40% of renters saying they are likely to move to a different area in 2026 because of rental costs.
The research of 2,000 UK renters, conducted by OnePoll, suggests affordability is now influencing not just what people rent but also where they feel able to live. Of those considering a move, 12% say they are “very likely” to relocate, while a further 28% are “somewhat likely” to do so.
It comes as almost half (47%) expect renting to become less affordable in 2026, reinforcing concerns that cost pressures will intensify for households already stretched.
While relocation is often associated with lifestyle choice, the findings indicate that many renters are preparing for enforced change – such as moving further away from work, family and support networks – simply to keep a roof over their head.
At the same time, the poll identifies the factors that are most likely to drive tenants away. More than half (55%) said unexpected or large rent increases would be a deal-breaker, while 51% would walk away if landlords or agents were slow to fix serious issues such as damp or heating problems.
Jackie Compton, Sales Director at CIA Landlords said: “When four in ten renters are looking at moving areas because of costs, that’s a warning sign for the whole sector. Renters want stability, and they want to feel confident that the homes they live in will be maintained and managed fairly.”
Jackie added: “Better communication, transparent rent-setting, and proactive maintenance aren’t ‘nice to haves’; they’re essential if we want long-term tenancies that work for everyone.”
Encouragingly, most renters say they would stay put if their rental home met their needs. In fact, 81% said they would be likely to remain in a property for five years or more if it met their top priorities, highlighting the opportunity for landlords and agents to reduce churn through better standards and service.
Despite the pressure on affordability, the poll suggests relationships aren’t universally broken: 67% said they currently feel favourable towards their landlord or letting agent.
When asked what matters most in a landlord/letting agent relationship, renters highlighted:
- Speed of response to repairs (35%)
- Quality of repairs and maintenance (34%)
- Respect for privacy / reasonable notice before visits (31%)
- Transparency over rent increases (30%)
- Clear communication and written agreements (28%)
