'Bills Included' now increasingly popular with tenants

New research from Rightmove suggests that all-inclusive rents are rising up the list of priorities for tenants using the portal. 

The research was commissioned for the BBC and shows that ‘bills included’ is the second most popular on the list of search terms, having been fourth a year earlier.

The data shows that historically the acceptance of pets in lets has consistently topped the list of search terms for rental properties.

Early last year, this was followed on the priority list by searches about whether the property had a garage - as people sought extra space while working from home - and whether the premises were furnished.

Now ‘bills included’ has moved up the league table and Rightmove spokesperson Tim Bannister tells the BBC: "Any landlord able to offer this to a tenant is likely to be met with a long queue of applicants.” 

At that time tenant searches for bills were up 57 per cent compared with late 2021. 

The significant increase in searches reflects greater concern from tenants about their energy bills, and increased interest in properties that can include bills within the monthly rent.

At that time Bannister said: “Tenants have shown through their search behaviour how appealing a home with bills included could be. Any landlord who is able to offer this added incentive next year, is likely to be met with an orderly queue of ready-to-go tenants to choose from.”