Philip Barton's Property Blog

One of the effects of the slowdown in sales has been the recent movement into the lettings arena by a number of estate agents. We are taking calls on a daily basis from would-be letting agents who are looking to lettings as the way to increase revenue and keep them afloat. They may be right – lettings is the one area of the market that is flourishing with a generally good supply of tenants as those would-be purchasers sit out the market problems in rented accommodation. This effect is reinforced by sellers – unable to sell to anyone despite monthly price drops – giving up and renting their properties. The overall effect is to increase supply and demand with the lettings market expanding as a result. An active and growing market can only be a good thing for (existing) landlords!