Derbyshire Landlords: Before You Sell, Read What the Latest Rental Data is Saying
With rents rising across Derbyshire and fresh Goodlord data pointing to renewed momentum in the rental market, local landlords may want to pause before selling up. In this blog, we look at what the latest figures mean, why demand remains strong, and why your rental property could still be a valuable long-term asset in today’s market.
The private rental market has changed dramatically in the last few months.
Following the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act on 1 May 2026, many landlords have been asking the same question: is it still worth staying in the rental market?
It is an understandable concern. The new rules have removed Section 21 “no-fault” evictions, moved tenancies onto a rolling basis, limited rent increases to once a year, banned rental bidding wars, and introduced wider changes around pets, advance rent and tenant rights.
But before Derbyshire landlords rush to sell, the latest rental figures suggest it may be worth pausing, reviewing the numbers, and taking proper advice.
Goodlord’s latest Rental Index shows rents are rising sharply again
According to Goodlord’s June 2026 Rental Index, annual rental inflation in England jumped to 6.5% in June, up sharply from 1.7% in both April and May. The average cost of a new tenancy in England rose from £1,211 in May to £1,309 in June, an 8.1% month-on-month increase.
That is a significant shift.
For the first few months of 2026, the rental market appeared relatively subdued. Some landlords were holding back, some tenants were waiting to see how the Renters’ Rights Act would settle, and the wider market looked calmer than in previous years.
June’s figures suggest the market may now be recalibrating.
Goodlord’s CEO, William Reeve, suggested one possible reason is the new restriction on rent increases during a tenancy. With landlords now generally limited to raising rent once a year through the statutory Section 13 process, there may be a stronger incentive to set the rent correctly at the start of a new tenancy.
Why the East Midlands figure matters
For landlords in Derbyshire, the East Midlands data is particularly important.
Goodlord reported that the East Midlands saw rents rise by 7.7% year-on-year in June. That is higher than the England-wide figure of 6.5%, and it suggests that our region is not being left behind in the rental recovery.
Official ONS data also shows that local rents have continued to move upward in parts of Derbyshire. In May 2026, average monthly rent in the East Midlands was £914, up from £881 a year earlier. In Derby, the average rent was £852, while in South Derbyshire it was £874, up 4.3% year-on-year. The Derbyshire Dales saw a stronger annual rise of 6.8%, with average rent reaching £805.
This does not mean every property will automatically command a higher rent. The Derbyshire market is local, street-by-street and property-by-property. A well-presented family home in South Derbyshire will behave differently from a flat in Derby, a cottage in the Dales, or a terrace in Alfreton.
But the direction of travel is clear: good rental homes remain valuable.
Who are Goodlord, and why should landlords pay attention?
Goodlord is one of the best-known technology providers in the UK lettings sector. Its platform helps letting agents, landlords and tenants manage key parts of the rental process, including referencing, tenancy progression, contracts, payments, compliance and insurance.
The reason its Rental Index is useful is that it is based on tenancies processed through the Goodlord platform. In other words, the data reflects confirmed rental transactions, not simply what landlords hoped to achieve on a property advert.
That distinction matters.
Advertised rents can be aspirational. A landlord might list a property at one price and agree a different figure. Goodlord’s index is based on actual tenancy activity and confirmed contract data, giving landlords a clearer view of what tenants are really paying on new lets.
Of course, no single index tells the whole story. Goodlord’s data should be viewed alongside ONS statistics, local letting-agent evidence, achieved rents, property condition and tenant demand. But as an early indicator of new-tenancy pricing, it is highly relevant.
Selling might feel tempting, but is it the right move?
Many landlords are understandably tired.
Higher mortgage costs, tax changes, compliance responsibilities and rental reform have all added pressure. Goodlord’s own 2025 State of the Lettings Industry Report found that demand remained high while supply continued to contract, with almost one in five landlords having sold at least one property in the previous 12 months.
But this is exactly why selling should not be a rushed decision.
When landlords leave the market, rental supply falls. When supply falls and tenant demand remains, the properties that stay available can become more important, and potentially more resilient as investments.
Zoopla’s June 2026 rental report also highlights the wider supply issue, noting that rental supply remains 20% to 30% below pre-pandemic levels in every region and that increasing rental supply is the best long-term way to improve affordability.
For Derbyshire landlords, that raises an important point: a well-managed rental property may still have a strong role to play.
The opportunity for Derbyshire landlords
Derbyshire continues to offer a mix of rental markets: city demand in Derby, commuter and family demand around South Derbyshire and Amber Valley, character homes in the Derbyshire Dales, and affordable stock in towns such as Ilkeston, Ripley, Swadlincote, Belper, Matlock and Buxton.
The landlords who are likely to perform best in this new market are not necessarily those who simply increase rents as quickly as possible. They are the landlords who:
🏡 price accurately from the start;
🧰 keep properties compliant and well maintained;
⚖️ understand the Renters’ Rights Act;
📈 review rent in line with local evidence;
🔑 work with a letting agent who can protect both income and compliance.
In a market where rent increases are more structured and tenants have stronger rights, getting the initial rent, paperwork and management process right has never mattered more.
Before you sell, get the facts
Selling may still be the right decision for some landlords. Personal circumstances, mortgage costs, tax position and long-term goals all matter.
But the latest rental data suggests that landlords should not assume the market has turned against them.
In fact, Goodlord’s June figures show that rental prices have moved sharply upward again, and the East Midlands has seen stronger-than-average annual growth.
So before putting your Derbyshire rental property on the market, ask yourself:
Could the property still deliver a strong rental return with the right management, the right tenant and the right compliance support?
Thinking of selling your Derbyshire rental property?
Before you make a final decision, speak to us.
A current rental valuation could show that your property is worth more as a long-term income-producing asset than you expected. With rents rising, supply still tight, and good homes in demand, now may be the time to review your strategy, not rush for the exit.
If you are a Derbyshire landlord thinking about selling, get a professional rental review first. You may find that staying in the market is the smarter move.
