The cost of void periods between tenancies has increased by 12.9% year-on-year, rising from £1,005 to £1,135, according to research by property management firm Rushbrook & Rathbone.
The analysis, which used ONS rental data and average void period figures supplied by Goodlord, found that the average void period in England currently stands at 24 days. The increase comes at a time when landlords are facing mounting operational pressures across the rental sector.
Regional variations
The West Midlands recorded the largest increase, with void costs climbing 52.9% during the past year. London registered the highest overall cost at £1,252 per void period, despite having one of the shortest average vacancy periods in England at 16.6 days.
Roma Sharma, managing director at Rushbrook & Rathbone, said: “Many landlords focus on the rent they achieve, but the rental income lost between tenancies is often just as important as the rent achieved during them.”
She noted that void periods represent more than just lost rental income, as landlords continue to face mortgage payments, insurance costs, service charges and maintenance obligations whilst properties remain empty.
Impact on returns
“Even a relatively short void period can have a meaningful impact on overall returns, particularly at a time when landlords are facing increasing compliance requirements and investment costs across the sector,” Sharma said.
The research comes as the rental sector faces broader challenges, with property company insolvencies reaching decade highs and landlords reassessing their portfolios amid regulatory changes.
Sharma suggested that proactive management could reduce void impact, stating: “Maintaining strong relationships with tenants can improve retention, whilst early planning, prompt maintenance and effective marketing can significantly reduce the time between one tenancy ending and the next beginning.”
The findings highlight the financial pressure on landlords as operational costs continue to rise across the buy-to-let sector, with void periods representing an often-overlooked component of total investment returns.
