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TODAY'S OTHER NEWS

Countrywide: Rents up 3.1% in 2015

Britain's largest letting agency Countrywide has reported that rents grew by an average of 3.1% in 2015, taking the average monthly rent to £919pcm. 

Rents rose in every region of Britain with the East of England seeing the highest growth at 6.5% and Central London the lowest with a mere 0.5%. 

Some 34% of tenants who renewed their tenancies faced higher rents, an increase of 7% from 2014. However, the average rent for renewing tenancies only grew by 1.3%, much less than for those moving into a new home.

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The continuing imbalance between supply and demand has intensified competition for homes in the market, said Countrywide. 

The average property is now let within 20 days of being instructed - two days quicker than it was in 2014. 

Greater London as a whole saw a slowdown in rental growth in 2015 compared with 2014 yet rents still rose by 4.7% on average. Affordability issues have kicked in across London; the proportion of under 25s living in the rental sector in the capital fell by 4% in 2015, the continuation of a longer term trend. 

Surrounding regions in the South of England have seen small growth in the proportion of under 25s in their market, as Londoners look further afield for more affordable markets.

“2016 looks to be a complicated year for landlords as the government focuses its efforts on boosting homeownership. The additional 3% stamp duty charge, stricter regulation and changes to tax relief from 2017 onwards will all take their toll on investor sentiment and impact behaviour," said Johnny Morris, research director at Countrywide.

“With stock at a premium, the smaller landlords who decide to sell up will add upward pressure to rents, although any rises will be tempered by affordability pressures,” he warned.

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    Here in Wales, rents have actually fallen or remained static in the last 20 years.
    Costs are increasing along with more regulation and affordability remains the most important factor for tenants in this part of the country.
    At least landlords in London and the South East will be able to absorb the added costs with rents that are often considerably higher than down here?

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