Spike in new rental listings according to board company survey

Agency Express says there has been a bounce in the number of new lettings listings across the UK.

Following unusually slow activity during July, national month-on-month figures for properties coming on to the market in August rose by 3.0 per cent. However, figures for properties successfully let were still affected by the usual seasonal decline sitting down 4.4 per cent on the previous month.

However, a three month analysis - which would include June, July and August - shows small declines in both 'To Let' and 'Let' listings compared to the same period a year earlier. 

Across the UK, 11 of Agency Express' 12 reported increases in new listings ‘To Let’ in August and four reported increases in properties ‘Let’.

The month’s top performer was Yorkshire and Humberside, where new listings 'To Let’ were up 12.8 per cent; properties ‘Let’ rose 6.7 per cent. London followed suit, bucking the seasonal trend with properties ‘Let’ up 15 per cent.

The largest declines in August were recorded in East Anglia. Month-on-month data shows new listings ‘To Let’ down 5.8 per cent and properties ‘Let’ down 14.7 per cent. 

"As we collate September’s data we would expect to see a further increase [across the UK]. Last September month on month figures for new listings rose by 1.3 per cent; this year we’d hope to see a larger increase based on current activity" says Stephen Watson, Agency Express managing director.