There’s an average nine applicants for each property on the market to rent according to Propertymark. 

That nine-to-one ratio is actually better than the picture about two years ago, and even with hefty rent rises there’s no sign of rent arrears rising says the trade body.

In its latest market snapshot – relating to January this year – it says the average number of new tenancies agreed per branch climbed to around eight.

There was no significant change in the number of properties available for rent at each Propertymark agency branch – 12.3, roughly similar to the late 2024 figure.

Propertymark chief executive Nathan Emerson says: “For the private rental market, pressures remain, and the age-old story continues of demand levels increasing against a slowing backdrop of supply. 

“We know that without government support for landlords to continue in the market or for future investors to enter, many may take their investment capability elsewhere or sell up altogether, worsening the ever-widening gap and ultimately pushing up rents even further.” 

On the sales side each branch saw an average of 87 new prospective buyers registering in January alone. Likewise an average 10.5 homes were registered for sale that month.

Both figures are better than expected and the number of completed sales in January was no leas than 20% up on the same month a year earlier – and there were an average 2.5 viewings per home on sale.