Countrywide reveals London still the accidental Landlord capital of the country

Latest Countrywide PLC Monthly Lettings Index report – Novemver 2017 headlines ‘Accidental landlords add 80,000 rented homes to the market’.

In the report it states: The annual rate of rental growth picked up in November, with the cost of a new let across Great Britain rising 1.2% over the last 12 months or 1.6% outside London.

The report reveals a slower sales market in the South of England has revived the accidental landlord as more people choose to rent their properties out instead of waiting for a sale, 1 out of 12 homes that came onto the rental market in 2017 was previously for sale. London is still the accidental landlord capital of the country.

Commenting Johnny Morris, Research Director at Countrywide, said:

“While most landlords are in the business by choice, the last three years have seen an increase in the numbers letting out a property they had previously tried to sell.  With mortgage rates remaining low, these discretional sellers can afford to let their home, while they wait and see what the future holds for the sales market.

“Rental growth in London is once again positive.  Every region of Great Britain now has average rents higher than a year ago.  And it likely that relatively low numbers of rental homes coming onto the market will keep rental growth firmly in positive territory.  But growth remains well below the long run average, with November 2017 marking the second year anniversary of the date when rents last rose by more than 3%.”

Read Latest Countrywide PLC Monthly Lettings Index report – Novemver 2017 published 12th December 2017 in full click here.

Allen Walkey

Highly experienced businessman with a successful career in property sales and investment both in the UK and abroad. Now a freelance writer and blogger for the property and Investment Industry, keeping readers up-to-date with changes and events in a rapidly changing world.

You May Also Enjoy

Estate Agent Talk

What to know when buying land

The closure of UK Land & Farms (UKLAF) has left a significant gap in the UK’s specialist land market with buyers and sellers now forced to adapt after 18 years of relying on UKLAF as the cornerstone of the industry. As interest in land continues to grow, the company says the closure also serves as…
Read More
Letting Agent Talk

Tenant demand strong, landlord supply shrinking

New RICS data shows tenant demand at its strongest in over a year – while landlord supply keeps shrinking. That’s not bad luck. It’s a trust problem, and it’s fixable. “These numbers should be good news for landlords. Demand is the strongest it’s been in over a year. Instead, they are deciding to head for…
Read More
Letting Agent Talk

Why Join a Letting Agents Association?

Why Every Letting Agent Should Join a Professional Body The lettings industry continues to evolve, with new legislation, increasing compliance requirements and higher expectations from landlords and tenants alike. For letting agents, staying informed and operating to recognised professional standards has never been more important. Joining a letting agents association provides far more than a membership…
Read More
Breaking News

House price growth remained subdued in July

UK annual house price growth slowed to 1.8% in July, from 2.2% in June House prices were up 0.1% month on month Average time in a home is 14 years: 24 years for those owning outright and 5 years in private rented sector Three quarters of moves were within same tenure type in 2024/25 Headlines…
Read More
Breaking News

Rent hikes and tighter tenant checks as landlord costs climb

Rising costs are prompting 63% of professional landlords to raise rents, prioritise lower-risk tenants and reassess portfolios Renters face a more expensive and more selective rental market as professional property investors respond to re-emergence of realistic gilt yields, rising operating costs and regulatory change by increasing rents and reassessing tenant risk and selection criteria, according…
Read More
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

North-South divide for time to move as Londoners see longest wait

New analysis reveals a north-south divide in the time it takes to move home: In London it takes 174 days on average to go from agreeing a sale to completing a move, whereas it takes 141 days in the North East Scotland is the fastest part of Great Britain at 98 days, due to the…
Read More