Whether you own a terraced house in Acocks Green, a flat near Solihull town centre or a portfolio spread across the West Midlands corridor, the rental market in 2026 presents both opportunities and new responsibilities for landlords.
Demand for well-presented rental homes remains resilient across Birmingham and Solihull, supported by a growing population, major employment hubs and continued demand from professionals, families and students. At the same time, legislative reforms have reshaped how landlords manage tenancies and compliance.
For landlords, success in 2026 is about more than achieving a good rental income. Staying informed about legal obligations, understanding local market conditions and maintaining high-quality accommodation will help protect your investment while attracting and retaining reliable tenants.
Here’s what you need to know.
Why rental demand remains strong
Affordability pressures in Birmingham city centre continue to encourage many tenants to look towards neighbouring areas offering better value while remaining well connected. Hall Green, Acocks Green and Yardley continue to attract renters seeking convenient transport links, established communities and comparatively affordable housing.
Solihull also remains a popular choice for professional tenants and families. Areas including Shirley, Olton and Solihull town centre benefit from excellent schools, attractive green spaces, strong local amenities and convenient access to Birmingham city centre, Birmingham International Airport, the NEC and the M42 motorway.
Although supply has improved in some parts of the market, demand continues to exceed the number of available rental properties in many locations across the West Midlands. Well-maintained homes that are accurately priced continue to generate strong levels of interest.
Rental yields across Solihull and Birmingham
Rental yields continue to vary depending on location, property type and purchase price, making local knowledge essential before making investment decisions.
Birmingham’s higher-yield postcodes
Areas such as Sparkhill (B11) and Acocks Green (B27) continue to attract buy-to-let investors looking for comparatively strong gross rental yields. Traditional terraced houses and family homes remain popular with long-term tenants, while relatively accessible purchase prices can support attractive investment returns.
Yardley (B25) and Hall Green (B28) also continue to appeal to landlords thanks to established tenant demand, good transport connections and a broad range of housing stock suitable for families and working professionals.
Solihull’s professional rental belt
In Solihull, yields are often lower than some Birmingham postcodes, reflecting higher property values. However, many landlords value the area’s stable tenant demand, lower turnover and strong appeal to professionals and families.
Shirley (B90), Olton (B92) and Solihull town centre remain popular locations where landlords often benefit from consistent demand, particularly for well-maintained houses and modern apartments close to transport links and local amenities.
Rather than focusing solely on headline yield figures, landlords should also consider factors such as maintenance costs, tenant quality, expected void periods and long-term capital growth when assessing an investment.
Hunters Solihull can provide a detailed valuation and local rental assessment tailored to your property’s location and specification.
What the Renters’ Rights Act means for landlords in 2026
The Renters’ Rights Act has introduced the most significant reforms to the private rented sector in England for many years. Landlords across Solihull and Birmingham should ensure they understand how these changes affect tenancy management and compliance.
One of the most significant reforms is the abolition of Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions. Landlords now need to rely on the appropriate statutory grounds where possession of a property is required, following the correct legal process.
Key changes landlords should understand
- Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions have been abolished.
- New residential tenancies are periodic rather than fixed-term.
- Landlords can recover possession only by relying on the statutory grounds set out in legislation.
- A Private Rented Sector Ombudsman is being introduced to help resolve disputes.
- A Private Rented Sector Database will support compliance and improve transparency across the sector.
Whether you own one rental property or manage a larger portfolio, these changes make it more important than ever to keep tenancy agreements, compliance records and management procedures up to date.
Professional advice can help landlords understand their responsibilities and reduce the risk of costly mistakes.
EPC standards: planning ahead
Energy efficiency continues to be an important consideration for landlords and tenants alike.
While proposals have been made to strengthen minimum energy efficiency standards for privately rented homes in the future, landlords should continue to monitor government guidance before making investment decisions based on future regulatory changes.
Why older properties deserve attention
Many properties in areas such as Sparkhill, Acocks Green and parts of Yardley were built decades ago and may have lower EPC ratings than newer homes.
Improving insulation, upgrading heating systems, replacing older glazing or carrying out other energy efficiency improvements may help reduce running costs, improve tenant comfort and increase the property’s appeal in an increasingly competitive rental market.
Landlords with more modern properties in Shirley, Olton or central Solihull may already benefit from stronger EPC ratings, but it’s still worth reviewing your property’s current certificate and identifying opportunities for future improvements.
The business case for improving energy efficiency
Many prospective tenants now consider energy efficiency when choosing between similar rental properties.
Lower energy bills can make a property more attractive, while improvements that enhance comfort and reduce running costs may help landlords attract quality tenants and encourage longer tenancies.
Reducing void periods: practical steps for landlords
Void periods remain one of the biggest costs for landlords, making proactive property management increasingly important.
A few practical steps can make a significant difference:
- Price the property realistically based on current market evidence.
- Present the property to a high standard before marketing begins.
- Respond promptly to maintenance issues and tenant enquiries.
- Keep safety certificates and compliance documents up to date.
- Work with a local letting agent who understands neighbourhood-level demand across Solihull and Birmingham.
Well-presented properties that are accurately priced and effectively marketed generally attract stronger levels of tenant interest than homes that are poorly presented or priced above comparable local properties.
Managing compliance across your portfolio
The regulatory responsibilities for landlords continue to evolve, making good record-keeping more important than ever.
Landlords should ensure they remain up to date with ongoing legal requirements, including:
- Annual gas safety inspections.
- Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs) carried out at the required intervals.
- Protecting tenancy deposits in an approved scheme within the required timescale.
- Serving prescribed information correctly.
- Completing Right to Rent checks where required.
- Meeting smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm requirements.
- Maintaining the property in a safe and habitable condition throughout the tenancy.
For landlords managing several properties, keeping track of inspections, renewal dates and compliance documents can become increasingly complex. Many choose professional property management services to help reduce administrative burdens while maintaining compliance.
Get the right advice for your rental property
The rental market across Solihull and Birmingham rewards landlords who stay informed and act early. Whether it’s understanding the Renters’ Rights Act, assessing your EPC position or benchmarking your current rent against the market, the right advice saves time and money.
Book a free valuation today and find out exactly what your rental property is worth in the current market. Hunters Solihull covers the full West Midlands corridor — from Solihull town centre and Shirley to Acocks Green, Hall Green and beyond.
Get in touch with the Hunters Solihull branch directly to speak with a local lettings expert. Let’s work together to make your rental a success—we’re here to get you there.
