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Home » Buy to let » ATT LANDLORDS – Rental Market Squeeze: Why Fewer UK Homes Are Available to Rent

ATT LANDLORDS – Rental Market Squeeze: Why Fewer UK Homes Are Available to Rent

Despite the overall number of rental properties in the UK remaining relatively stable—around 4.87 million in 2024 compared to 4.85 million in 2017—the availability of rental homes on the market has declined sharply in many regions. This isn’t because landlords are exiting en masse, but because fewer properties are being listed as tenants are staying put longer. With rents rising due to high demand and limited supply, tenants are less inclined to move, reducing turnover and leaving fewer options for those entering the market.

Here’s how the regions compare in terms of change in rental availability:

  • North East: Down 3%
  • Wales: Down 3%
  • South East: Down 5%
  • East Anglia: Down 2%
  • North West: Down 3%
  • Yorkshire & the Humber: Down 1%
  • East Midlands: Down 1%
  • South West: Down 5%
  • West Midlands: Down 7%
  • London: Down 6%
  • Scotland: Up 1%
  • Northern Ireland: Up 5%

Interestingly, regions like Scotland and Northern Ireland have bucked the trend, experiencing slight increases in rental availability, however the North West is down by almost 20%

This trend reflects a wider issue: the rate at which properties are coming to market for rent is slowing, even as the total stock grows marginally. For landlords, this poses a challenge in balancing tenant demand and landlord expectations. The market must adapt to ensure mobility and opportunity for renters in the face of these shifts.

If you are a landlord and want some advice and opinion on how this will affect the local Buy-to-Let property market, don’t hesitate to contact the Forbes lettings team on 01257 273324 or info@forbesestates.com