Analysis of July–August listings across 1,000 locations shows intense local competition in parts of the North West and Scotland while national enquiry rates ease compared with recent years.
Birkenhead and Wallasey averaged 30 enquiries per available rental during July–August, the highest in Rightmove’s 1,000-location analysis.
Scotland recorded the highest regional competition (19 enquiries per property) and the North West accounted for six of the top ten busiest local markets.
Average advertised rent across Britain stood at £1,580 per month in the period covered.
# What the numbers show Rightmove analysed enquiries to letting agents for July and August across 1,000 locations in Great Britain. It counts an enquiry when a prospective tenant phones or emails a letting agent to request a viewing. The national average was 11 enquiries per available rental property over those two months.
# Where competition was fiercest Two neighbouring towns on the Wirral—Birkenhead and Wallasey—recorded the highest local competition, each attracting an average of 30 enquiries per listed property. Carlisle followed with 29 enquiries, Glasgow with 28, and East Kilbride with 27. Overall, six of the ten most competitive locations were in the North West.
Rightmove also reported regional differences: Scotland had the highest average level of competition at 19 enquiries per property, and the North West averaged 16 enquiries per property.
# How this compares with recent years The current average of 11 enquiries per property compares with 12 in the same period last year and a peak of 28 in summer 2022. It remains above the pre-pandemic summer average of eight enquiries per available property. Average advertised rents across Great Britain were reported at £1,580 per month for the period.
# What Rightmove says Colleen Babcock, Rightmove's property expert, said: "July and August are typically the busiest months of the year for the rental market, and our analysis shows that competition remains particularly strong in some parts of Great Britain." She added that while supply has rebalanced compared with previous years, there are still locations where each available home attracts high numbers of enquiries.
# Practical takeaway for renters and agents
# Bottom line
Rental competition in Britain's most sought-after areas has reached 30 enquiries per property, according to new data from Rightmove. Birkenhead and Wallasey on the Wirral recorded the highest levels of tenant competition, with typical monthly rents of £874 and £975 respectively. The post Rental competition reaches 30 e
Rightmove’s analysis ranked 1,000 locations across Britain by the number of inquiries each available rental listing received
Scotland and northern England were home to some of the locations with the most inquiries typically per rental property, Rightmove said.
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