The typical UK landlord portfolio is now generating almost £90,000 a year in gross rental income, according to new figures from Rushbrook.
The estimated annual income has increased by nearly £16,500 compared with last year, highlighting the continued rise in rental returns across established landlord portfolios.
Rushbrook estimates that the average landlord owns around 7.3 properties with a combined value of approximately £1.7 million. While the size and overall value of the typical portfolio have remained broadly unchanged, rental income per property has increased significantly.
In the first quarter of 2026, estimated annual rent per property reached £12,117, compared with £9,860 a year earlier. This represents an increase of 22.9%.
As a result, the estimated gross rental income from the average 7.3-property portfolio rose from £71,978 to £88,454 a year. That is an annual increase of £16,476.
Buy-to-Let Borrowing Also Increases
The increase in rental income has been accompanied by higher levels of borrowing.
Although landlords are estimated to own roughly the same number of properties as last year, the amount of buy-to-let borrowing associated with the average portfolio has risen by 14.6%.
Borrowing increased from £642,000 to £736,000, representing an additional £94,000 of debt.
This is an important distinction when considering the headline rental income figures. Gross rent does not represent the amount landlords ultimately keep, particularly when mortgage costs and other expenses are taken into account.
Cost of Property Management Rises
Managing a larger property portfolio can also come with significant costs.
Rushbrook estimates that fully managed rental services generally charge between 8% and 15% of monthly rental income, excluding VAT. Using 11.5% as a midpoint, it calculates that professional management for a property generating the current average rental income would cost roughly £139 a month including VAT.
For a landlord with the average 7.3-property portfolio, the estimated management bill would therefore be around £1,017 a month.
That works out at approximately £12,207 a year based on current rental income levels.
The estimated annual management cost has increased by 22.9%, or £2,274, compared with the previous year.
Gross Rental Income Is Not the Same as Profit
The figures highlight why landlords need to look beyond gross rental income when assessing the performance of their portfolios.
A landlord generating close to £90,000 in annual rent may still have substantial outgoings, including mortgage interest, maintenance, insurance, tax, licensing and other compliance costs.
Higher borrowing levels can also have a direct impact on the amount of rental income that ultimately becomes profit.
Rushbrook managing director Roma Sharma said the figures demonstrate that many landlords operate businesses of considerable size, rather than simply owning one or two properties and collecting rent.
She also stressed the importance of distinguishing between rental turnover and actual profitability.
For landlords with portfolios worth around £1.7 million, effective management involves much more than collecting monthly rent or arranging repairs. It includes maintaining the properties, looking after tenants, meeting regulatory requirements and protecting the long-term performance of the portfolio.
What Does This Mean for Landlords?
The latest figures show that rental income has risen considerably for the typical multi-property landlord over the past year.
However, the increase in income needs to be considered alongside the higher costs associated with running a rental portfolio.
With average buy-to-let borrowing also increasing, landlords need to keep a close eye on their mortgage costs, operating expenses and tax position rather than focusing solely on rental income.
For investors considering expanding their portfolios, the figures also underline the importance of assessing the full financial picture. Strong rental income can support a property business, but the ultimate return depends on what remains after financing, management and other costs have been paid.
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