Rents and Voids produce mixed stats as lettings market settles

The rental market remained strong in August says PropTech firm Goodlord.

Despite average rents dipping marginally after a record breaking July - where average prices broke the £1,300 barrier for the first time - tenants continue to face high prices during what is the market’s busiest season. 

Void periods in August softened somewhat compared to July’s historic lows, but continued to remain much lower than year to date averages.  

In detail, the average price of rent dipped slightly between July and August, with prices across England coming down by 1.5% per cent to an average of £1,347 per property. 

Despite not beating July’s Index setting record of £1,367, August 2023 prices are up 10 per cent compared to the same time last year. Average rental costs are also 15 per cent higher than the 2023 year-to-date average.

Prices across the summer are typically driven up by an influx of student lets. This year, this has combined with historic pressures on the rental market; driving up prices to record-breaking highs. 

Greater London and the South East saw the biggest rise in average prices. The capital saw an upward swing of eight per cent with the South East recording the highest rise, with rents up 14 per cent.

However, it was a different picture in the North West, which saw a drop of 20 per cent in average prices. This mirrors the pattern seen in the region last year (2022); a major July spike in rents, followed by a more subdued August. 

Rents also dropped in the North East (down six per cent) and the South West (down 10 per cent). Both regions saw huge increases in rental costs during July. 

Voids also saw a slight cooling off after the intensity of July, with average void periods rising from nine days to 13 days in August. However, this still makes August the second lowest month for voids since July 2022. 

The biggest shift was seen in the South West, where voids rose from six days to 13. This was followed by the North West, where averages jumped from seven days to 14. Both regions also recorded the biggest dips in the average cost of rent. 

Greater London and the South East, which both saw a rise in rental costs, recorded no change in average void periods. 

Goodlord chief operating officer William Reeve says: “There were so many records broken in July, it’s not altogether surprising to see a slight dip in average rents and slightly longer void periods during August. 

“However, when you look at the bigger picture, the market is clearly still running extremely hot. 

“Year-on-year averages for rental costs are significantly increased, with the £1,300 per month barrier now broken for a second month in a row. 

“September often brings with it the annual peak in prices, so it’s likely that we’ll see another month of high rents and short voids before any seasonal shift in pace kicks in.”