Rental growth slowed in February compared to the previous month according to Countrywide

March 13, 2018

The latest Countrywide plc Monthly Lettings Index report – February 2018 published 12th March 2018 headlined “Average landlord who sold in 2017 gained £86,651”

The report reveals: The average landlord who sold their rental property in 2017 did so for £86,651 more than they paid for it, having owned the home for an average of 8.7 years.

Rental growth slowed to 2.1% in February down from 2.4% in January, but was supported by increasing rents in London, according to Countrywide.

Commenting Johnny Morris, Research Director at Countrywide, said:

“House price growth has driven investor gains.  Landlords selling in 2017 owned their homes for nearly nine years.  In 8 of those last 9 years house prices have risen.  Even in areas where price growth has lagged behind most landlords have made a profit from rising prices.

“Rents continued to grow in January. London continues to see the greatest falls in the stock of available homes to rent, on the back of reduced investor activity, this scarcity of supply is driving rental growth.”

Read the latest Countrywide plc Monthly Lettings Index report – February 2018 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

Breaking News

Industry Reaction to Renters’ Rights Bill Becoming Law

The Renters’ Rights Act has officially received Royal Assent, marking one of the most significant reforms to England’s private rented sector in decades. The new law will ban Section 21 no-fault evictions, replace fixed-term tenancies with open-ended agreements, cap rent increases, and introduce tougher property standards under the updated Decent Homes Standard. It also paves…
Read More →
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Rightmove data and commentary as Renters’ Rights gets Royal Assent

The UK’s largest property platform Rightmove shares data and commentary on the rental market as the Renters’ Rights Bill finally gets Royal Assent and becomes law. Key market data The average advertised rent of homes outside of London has reached a new record of £1,385 per calendar month (pcm). Average rents outside of London are…
Read More →
Estate Agent Talk

Half of Brits would retrofit their property to make it more appealing to future buyers

The government is funding £13.2 billion in retrofitting properties Two-thirds (61%) of homeowners state that upfront cost is the biggest barrier to retrofitting Younger homeowners are more open to green improvements in their homes Over half of Brits think retrofitting would make their property more appealing to future buyers Over half  (59%) of homeowners would…
Read More →
Breaking News

Buyers hit pause: Housing market records first annual fall in new sales in two years as more buyers adopt ‘wait and see’ strategy

House price growth has slowed over 2025, currently standing at 1.3 per cent which is broadly in line with the level a year ago Uncertainty over the November Budget has driven a growing ‘wait and see’ attitude amongst home buyers, leading to the first annual fall in new sales agreed in two years The usual…
Read More →
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Rents hit new record as pace of new rental homes coming onto the market slows

The average advertised rent of homes outside of London rises again in Q3 2025 to a new record of £1,385 per calendar month (pcm). Average rents outside of London are now 3.1% higher than a year ago Average advertised rents in London also reach a new record of £2,736, however rents in the capital are…
Read More →
Estate Agent Talk

The ‘Rentvesting’ Strategy: Owning a Home Where You Can’t Afford to Live

Oh, the ever-evolving property market. Keeps us wondering: how will I keep my head above water? And this is how a war-like property strategist is born. One of these savvy strategies is called: rentvesting. This is the art of renting where you want to live and buying where it fits your wallet.  Getting your foot…
Read More →