Rates cut spurs huge increase in available rental properties

The latest research by Zero Deposit, the tenancy deposit alternative, has revealed that it's not just Britain's homeowners and sellers who have breathed an apparent sigh of relief following the first cut to interest rate in four years, with the level of rental stock available to tenants across major British cities increasing notably in the 30 days following the first base rate cut since 2020.

Zero Deposit analysed available rental stock across 15 major cities in Britain, looking at the total number of homes available to tenants and the number of these homes that have been listed on the market in the 30 days that followed the Bank of England's decision to cut interest rates to 5% from 5.25%.

The research shows that across all major cities there has been a significant increase in the number of homes being listed to rent.

In Edinburgh, 435 homes have entered the rental market in the last 30 days, equating to 75% of all current stock and marking a 300% increase when compared to total stock levels prior to the last base rate decision.

Neighbouring Glasgow has also seen a sharp increase, with a 207% jump seeing new rental homes listed on the market account for 67% of all current market stock.

The influx of new rental market stock has also seen available stock levels increase by more than 100% across Bradford (+137%), Bristol (+135%), Brighton (+130%), Manchester (+119%), Cardiff (+119%) and Sheffield (+109%).

Even in Leeds, where this increase in stock levels has been most measured, the 576 new rental homes to have reached the market in the last 30 days mark a 45% increase on previous stock levels and equate to 31% of all current market stock.

Sam Reynolds, CEO of Zero Deposit commented:

"For almost four years, landlords across the UK have had to contend with far higher interest rates than they've become accustomed to, not to mention the challenges that this brings, and we know from a recent survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors that this has caused many to increasingly consider exiting the sector.

However, it certainly seems as though the first base rate cut in over four years has helped to steady the ship and spur a substantial increase in the number of rental homes reaching the market. This is, of course, great news for tenants, who stand to benefit from a greater level of rental market stock across our major cities.

Of course, with our new Labour Government stating early that inheritance tax and capital gains tax could both feature heavily in what is expected to be a 'painful' October budget, this increasing market level of rental market sentiment could be somewhat short-lived."