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

bank of england interest rate
Breaking News

Bank of England holds interest rates at 3.75%

The Bank of England has announced its decision to hold the base rate at 3.75%. This decision comes as a result of wider economic uncertainty and inflation (CPI) increasing to 3.3% in March and remaining above the Bank’s 2.0% target. Here are some thoughts from within the property industry.   Matt Smith, Rightmove’s mortgage expert…
Read More
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Property valuation leads to agents up 55%

Rightmove, the UK’s largest property portal, has reported a 55% year-to-date uplift in property valuation leads for agents compared with the same period last year (January – May). The uplift follows the launch of Online Agent Valuation in late 2025, designed to help agents engage more effectively with prospective sellers, alongside a series of AI enhancements across Rightmove’s valuation tools. Online Agent Valuation connects agents with motivated homeowners who choose to begin their selling journey…
Read More
Breaking News

Britain’s equestrian homes average value of £1.3m

South East accounts for one in five opportunities The latest research from LandSale, the property portal dedicated to land and rural property, has found that those inspired to enter the equestrian world following Royal Ascot this week will need a budget of £1.265m in order to get started, with the South East home to the…
Read More
Breaking News

Interest-only mortgage stock reduces by 17 per cent in 2025

Key points: There were 445,000 pure interest-only homeowner mortgages outstanding at the end of 2025, 17.7 per cent fewer than in 2024. In addition there were 156,000 partial interest-only (part and part) homeowner mortgages outstanding at the end of 2025, 10.3 per cent fewer than in 2024. The total interest-only mortgage stock (including part and…
Read More
Breaking News

5 building materials that give home sellers nightmares

The latest market insight from House Buyer Bureau has highlighted five building materials that can be a nightmare for homeowners, as they severely impact a property’s value, make it difficult to mortgage, and can prevent them from securing a buyer. House Buyer Bureau analysed some of the most problematic building materials found within UK homes,…
Read More
Breaking News

UK House Price Index for April 2026

The latest UK House Price Index for April 2026 shows that: The average monthly rate of UK house price growth in April was +0.7%. Average UK house price annual inflation was 3.8% in the 12 months to April 2026. As a result, the average UK house price currently sits at £270,080.   Here is how…
Read More