The latest Rental Index from PropTech supplier Goodlord has recorded a rent rise and a reduction in void lengths over the past month, with the average rent seven per cent higher than at the same time in 2023.
Average rents rose by one per cent during February, taking the average cost per property to £1,162 in England, up from £1,154 in January.
Rents have steadily been increasing following the traditional Christmas dip, despite rent rises between January and February being far from the norm; rents have dipped in February during four out of the last six years, according to Index figures.
The new average figure of £1,162 means tenants are paying seven per cent more rent compared to February 2023.
Looking at the year-on-year data for February 2024 vs. February 2023, the biggest increase in rents has been seen in the South West, where year-on-year prices have risen by 11 per cent. This is followed by the North East, which has seen a 7.5 per cent rise.
The smallest year-on-year change was in the West Midlands, where tenants are paying 4.5 per cent more.
The biggest regional rise in rents during February came in the South West and the South East, where rents rose by 2.5 per cent. The average price of rental property in the South East is now £1,293, with the South West not far behind at £1,173.
Two regions saw a drop in prices during February - the West Midlands dipped by 2.0 per cent and Greater London by 1.0 per cent.
Further highlighting the ongoing demand for rental properties across England, void periods - the average length of time a property is vacant between tenancies - also shortened during February. Average voids shortened from 22 days on average across England to 18 days - a reduction of 18 per cent.
The biggest change to voids was recorded in the North East, where voids shortened from 24 days in January to just 17 days in February.
All regions recorded shorter voids, with the exception of the South West, which saw void periods hold steady at 20 days month-on-month.
William Reeve, chief executive at Goodlord, comments: “We don’t normally see a bump in rents during February. It’s typically a slower month where things cool off following the post-Christmas release of demand we see in January. The fact that we’re seeing a rise this month is indicative of the ongoing squeeze on the market and a lack of available stock - something that’s further evidenced by the shortening of voids across England.
“Right now, the market is delivering fairly consistent year-on-year stats when it comes to rent rises and we continue to hover around the seven per cent mark. All eyes will be on whether this starts to reduce as we come into the summer following last year’s record breaking numbers, or if new records will be set.”
