In the picturesque landscapes of Somerset, landlords are finding it remarkably easy to secure tenants, as revealed by recent research from Zero Deposit.

Zero Deposit’s research assessed rental demand in each county by looking at the proportion of available rental properties that have already secured tenants. This method provides a comprehensive understanding of how quickly properties are being rented out.

Somerset Leads the Pack

In the county of Somerset an impressive 50% of rental properties are already off the market. This figure is the highest across all counties in England, indicating a thriving rental scene. Following closely are Bedfordshire and Suffolk, each with 49%, West Sussex at 48%, and Essex at 46%.

Contrast with Lower Demand Areas

On the other end of the spectrum, West Yorkshire exhibits the lowest rental demand at present, with only 19% of properties being snapped up. Nottinghamshire, the City of London, the West Midlands, and Leicestershire also show lower demand levels, ranging from 20% to 21%.

Insights from Sam Reynolds, Zero Deposit’s CEO

Sam Reynolds, the chief executive of Zero Deposit, sheds light on these trends. He notes that the final quarter of the year usually sees a dip in rental market demand. This is attributed to tenants either having moved earlier in the year or waiting until January. Despite this seasonal slowdown, Reynolds highlights that tenant activity remains strong in many areas, benefiting landlords who continue to see high demand for their properties.

The Larger Picture Across England

Zooming out to the national level, about 30% of all rental properties in England have been taken up by tenants. However, this marks a reduction in demand by 9% compared to the previous quarter and 4% annually.