More than half of rental homes are available for immediate move-in as tenants race to settle before Christmas

The latest analysis from London lettings and estate agent Benham and Reeves has revealed which regions of the British rental market offer tenants the best chance of securing a home before Christmas, with more than half of all available rentals across Great Britain currently listed as immediately available.

Benham and Reeves analysed rental stock levels across Great Britain, identifying how many homes currently listed to let are classed as “immediate rentals”, meaning they are available to move into without delay. This provides a clear picture of where tenants have the best opportunity to secure a swift turnaround before the new year.

The analysis by Benham and Reeves found that there are currently 124,627 homes listed to rent across Great Britain. Of these, 63,922 are classed as immediate rentals, meaning 51.3% of the market provides the potential for a swift move for those hoping to get settled before the festive season draws to a close.

Scotland ranks as the strongest region for instant availability, with 64.5% of all rental listings classed as immediately available.

The East of England also performs well, where 60.9% of current listings offer the potential for an immediate move, with the capital ranking third, as 53.4% of all London rental properties provide the chance of a quick move. .

At the other end of the scale, Yorkshire and the Humber sits at just 44.9%. Wales and the North East also remain below the halfway point, at 46.4% and 46.7% respectively.

Marc von Grundherr, Director of Benham and Reeves, commented:

“This is traditionally one of the busiest times of the year for the rental market. Many tenants look to get their affairs in order ahead of the new year, whether they are relocating for work, returning from overseas or simply wanting a fresh start in January.

Despite the legislative upheavals of recent weeks, including the continued fallout from the Renters’ Rights Act, stock levels remain strong and there is still a healthy volume of homes that can facilitate an instant move.

For tenants hoping to secure a property before Christmas, there is plenty of choice across much of the country, and those who are organised and proactive will find the market is still moving at pace.”