The demand for private rented accommodation has been outstripping supply for several years now. Although there are some new landlords entering the market, this is being more-or-less matched by the number of rental properties being sold. And more than half of landlords selling up are located in London and the South East, where rental demand has been boosted by commuters moving out of the capital.
What’s likely to happen to rents and demand?
Although rents have increased at a faster rate than usual over the past few years, they are driven by contract-holder affordability and not so much by supply and demand. The recent rent growth was possible partly because between 2017 and 2021, rents became more affordable.
According to Zoopla, rental growth this year (2023) is on track to end at over 9% - a higher rent figure than expected because of faster earnings growth and the impact of higher mortgage rates keeping more people renting. Zoopla say rents for new lettings are expected to keep rising in 2024, with rental growth of 5-6% per cent, with the impetus for growth originating from regional cities.
5 ways to stand out as a great contract-holder
With fierce competition for rentals, it’s key that you do what you can to try and secure a dwelling quickly. Landlords want contract-holders who will pay the rent on time and look after their home. So, the more you can do to reassure a landlord or agent that you’re reliable and can afford to live in the dwelling, the more likely you are to be successful.
Here are our 5 top tips on how to make yourself stand out from the crowd:
Be aware that there are some landlords and agents out there that don’t operate professionally or ethically. These rogue operators will often try to take advantage of desperate contract-holders by offering cheaper, sub-standard accommodation, so always use an agent that is a member of Propertymark or a landlord who’s a member of the NRLA or other landlord association. That way, you can be confident that the dwelling is being let legally and safely by someone who’s working to a professional code of conduct.
If you’d like some help finding a new rented home, just get in touch with your nearest branch and have a chat with one of our local lettings experts.
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