Landlords are taking longer to find new tenants, with the average time properties remain empty between tenancies increasing by eight days in October. This comes despite annual rental growth remaining at 5%, highlighting the mixed conditions currently facing the private rented sector.
According to Goodlord’s latest Rent Index, the average void period reached 28 days in October, compared with 20 days in September. This was also seven days longer than the 21-day average recorded during the same month last year.
Meanwhile, annual rent growth remained unchanged for the second consecutive month. However, the pace of monthly increases slowed, with rents rising by 0.6% in October compared with 0.9% the previous month.
Renters’ Rights Act adds to rental market pressures
William Reeve, chief executive of Goodlord, said the figures show that rental inflation continues to put pressure on tenants’ finances.
He believes the Renters’ Rights Act may be contributing to rising rents, describing this as an unintended consequence of the legislation. Changes such as the ban on rental bidding and restrictions on rent reviews, alongside an ongoing shortage of available properties, could be adding to upward pressure on prices.
However, Reeve also highlighted signs that the market could begin to cool over the coming months. Slower monthly rental growth and longer void periods suggest that demand may be easing.
Winter is traditionally a quieter time for the lettings market, with fewer tenants looking to move. However, recent changes to the rental sector have made seasonal trends less predictable, particularly following the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act.
Landlords face longer gaps between tenancies
The latest figures show that void periods varied considerably across the UK, with some regions experiencing much longer gaps between tenants than others.
Wales recorded the longest average void period at 34 days, followed by Yorkshire and the Humber, where landlords waited an average of 32 days before securing a new tenant.
Greater London had the shortest gaps between tenancies, although properties still remained empty for an average of 25 days.
The North East experienced one of the sharpest increases. Average void periods rose from just 11 days in September to 28 days in October, suggesting that landlords in the region are taking considerably longer to fill vacant properties.
Across the UK, the average gap between tenancies was also a week longer than the 21 days recorded in October last year.
Longer void periods can have a direct impact on landlords’ income, as properties generate no rental revenue while waiting for new tenants. This can be particularly challenging for landlords who still need to cover mortgage payments, insurance, maintenance and other property-related expenses.
Annual rents increase by 5%
Despite the longer void periods, rental prices continued to rise over the year.
Goodlord’s figures show that average monthly rents reached £1,592 in October, up from £1,516 during the same month in 2025. This represents an additional £76 per month, or £912 over a year for tenants.
The North East recorded the largest annual increase, with rents climbing by 14.2%. In contrast, the East of England was the only region monitored by the index to record an annual decline.
However, the picture was different when looking at monthly changes. Despite being the only region with lower rents over the year, the East of England recorded a monthly increase in October, in line with every other region included in the index.
Yorkshire and the Humber saw the strongest monthly growth, with rents rising by 2.1%. This was a notable change from September, when the region had recorded a monthly decline.
What the figures mean for landlords
The latest rental data highlights a market where rents are continuing to increase, but landlords are taking longer to secure tenants.
While annual rental growth remains strong, the slowdown in monthly increases and longer void periods could indicate that the market is beginning to lose some momentum.
For landlords, this makes it increasingly important to consider local rental demand when setting prices and planning for new tenancies. Asking for rent above the local market rate could potentially lead to longer periods without rental income, particularly as tenants become more cautious about affordability.
The coming winter months may provide a clearer indication of whether the longer void periods are part of the usual seasonal slowdown or a sign of a wider shift in the rental market.
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