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TODAY'S OTHER NEWS

Rental market in festive mood with voids down and rents up

The year is ending with void periods dropping across England as demand for rental properties continues apace. 

According to the latest Goodlord rental index, based on late November data, some regions saw voids decrease by as much as 30 per cent. During the month, the average cost of rent was also down, further fuelling tenant demand to snap up new properties ahead of Christmas. 

The annual trends of low voids continued last month, decreasing from 19 days on average in October to just 18 days in November.

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This brings voids below their year to date average of 19.5 days, reflecting the ongoing and strong demand for rental properties across England. The average void period for 2021 to date is a whopping 28 per cent lower across the country compared to 2020 figures.

The biggest shift in voids in November was seen in the East Midlands, where averages dropped from from 24 days to just 16 - a 33 per cent reduction. The North East also saw a big shift - from 20 days to 16 days - a drop of 20 per cent.

Only two regions recorded an increase in voids. There was a modest increase in the West Midlands - from 19 to 21 days on average. The South West saw a more sizable increase, with average voids rising from 17 days to 23 days. 

Whilst the average price of rent across England is currently eight per cent higher this year compared to 2020, November did see a slight cooling off of average prices.

The average price of rent for a property dipped by 2.5 per cent - moving down from £1,006 in October to £980 in November. 

The biggest change was seen in the East Midlands, which recorded a 5.0 reduction in the price of rent. This drop is also likely contributing to the region’s rapidly falling void periods. 

All other regions recorded reductions in the average rental price of between 1.0 and 3.5 per cent.

The only region to see an increase was the West Midlands, although this was a negligible jump of just 0.15 per cent.

Overall, November rental prices (£980) were also exactly the same as the year-to-date average of £979.

Goodlord chief operating officer Tom Mundy comments: “We would expect a slight slow down in December as moving plans get put on hold until after Christmas, so to see the market enjoy such a healthy November is really encouraging. 

“Demand remains exceptionally high; something you can see reflected in the void periods, which remain much lower year-on-year. 

“And whilst a slight dip in rental costs is being capitalised on by tenants, annual averages remain way up. We predict a very busy market in early 2022. 

“There is still huge demand for properties and lots of tenants on the hunt for a new home, so agents should be prepared to cater to that come the New Year.”

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    I've just had a long void, but that's down to me, I took advantage when a house became vacant to carry out renovation works as it had been mainly untouched for 25 yrs. now all sparkling new bathroom and kitchen, redecorated and carpets , goes on the market today for a £200 increase from the last rent, let's see how many people we have viewing after Christmas

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    Andrew, they can expect to pay more for quality, and it’s going to take you a long time to cover the void not alone get back the thousands you spent on refurbishment, your rent was probably at a low base anyway. I suspect when your months of labour / professional skills are taken into account the less than £7.00 per day increase isn’t going to go very far, its more like a parking charge.

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    You could be right if I added up my hours at £40 per hour, it's just as well that I don't, and of course us landlords just sit at home on our lap tops watching the £s flow into our bank accounts lol, but it had to be done, as of 10.00 am this morning the agents had already had 7 inquiries .

     
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    Landlords time is free as far as Councillors are concerned just keep loading it on and then charge you for the work they required you to do, it took me 3 hours to make one HMO license Application then pay the Council £1300.00 for the privilege. Watch out for HMO Compliance coming to a Town near you, your Tenants names & the room they occupy, a plan sketch drawing to identify ever room and size, fire doors, stops, seals, Euro locks, Closers, fire door loft hatch, staircase upgrades, inter linked fire alarms. heat detector, monoxide detector, emergency lighting, EPC, “How 2 Rent” Right to Rent, Gas Cert, Electric Cert, Fire Cert, Emergency light Cert, Deposit information, The License, ICO pay annual fee, put all on display Notice Board in prominent position etc, yes we have nothing to do, OH I nearly forgot we have to supply the property as well, (by the way you are barely out the door when they have disappeared the Notice Board), another fine for LL, now scan copy down load, upload all that plus the Application form. A sure we have nothing to do and when we do a Tenancy give most of this to the Tenant as well.

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    Do forget the fire blankets and extinguishers.
    Happy Christmas to all, (sorry that includes Councillors a peace offering).

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