The UK rental market remained stable in December 2019, according to the latest Goodlord Rental Index. Average rents remained close to levels recorded in November, as the market continued to experience the traditional pre-Christmas slowdown, although void periods across the UK proved more encouraging.
Five out of the eight regions monitored by Goodlord saw rents remain at November levels or dip slightly. The largest decrease was recorded in the North East, where average prices dropped by 3% - from £607 to £588.
Marginal rises were recorded in Greater London (+2%), the North West (+3%) and Wales (+3%).
The average cost of a rental property across the whole of the UK was £902 in December. This compares with a 2019 annual average of £927 per property, per month.
It was a healthier month for void periods during December, with the average UK void period dropping from 24 to 19 days. This compares to an annual average for 2019 of 20 days.
All regions monitored saw a slight decrease in void periods with the exception of the South West, which saw averages increase from 17 to 19 days. The South East saw a fairly sizeable drop compared to November, with void periods dropping from 28 days to just 21.
The average age of UK renters held steady at 34 years for the third month in a row, ending the year slightly higher than the 2019 annual average of 33.
The average income of tenants increased slightly in December, increasing from £22,726 in November to £23,615 in December.
London continues to be the most expensive place to rent in the UK, with the North East, Wales, and the Midlands the most affordable.