
Glasgow and East Kilbride were identified as the main property hotspots, with an above-average 28 and 27 enquiries per rental property respectively.
Both appeared in a UK-wide top 10 of the main hotspots, compiled by the UK’s largest property platform, Rightmove.
The average rent in Glasgow was £1,181, while in East Kilbride it was £1,089.
The North West of England ranked second, with an average of 16 enquiries per property.
Many househunters rent until they can afford to buy (Image: PA)
The new analysis from Rightmove revealed Britain’s most competitive rental hotspots during July and August, typically the busiest months of the year for the rental market.
Wallasey and Birkenhead in Merseyside were Britain’s joint most competitive rental markets, with each available rental property attracting an average of 30 enquiries from prospective tenants.
Carlisle ranked third, with an average of 29 enquiries per available property.
The findings highlight how intense competition for rental homes remains across parts of Great Britain, even as rental supply and demand conditions continue to rebalance compared with the record highs seen in previous years.
While average advertised rents remain at record levels nationally, with the current national average rent standing at £1,580 per calendar month, the pace of rent growth has continued to slow as competition has eased and improving supply gives tenants more choice than during the pandemic-era peak.
Across Great Britain, rental properties attracted an average of 11 enquiries each during July and August, typically the busiest months of the year for the rental market.
While this is lower than the 12 enquiries recorded during the same period last year, and significantly below the peak of 28 recorded in July and August 2022, it remains above the pre-pandemic average of eight enquiries per property during the summer months.
An enquiry is measured by a prospective tenant phoning or emailing a letting agent to request a viewing of a rental property.
Rightmove’s analysis ranked 1,000 locations across Great Britain based on the number of enquiries received by each available rental listing.
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Colleen Babcock, Rightmove’s property expert, said: “July and August are typically the busiest months of the year for the rental market, and our analysis shows that competition remains particularly strong in some parts of Great Britain.
“While rental supply has rebalanced compared with previous years, there are still locations where each available home attracts high numbers of enquiries from prospective tenants.
“The North West features particularly prominently in our findings, accounting for six of the 10 most competitive locations, while Scotland recorded the highest average level of competition anywhere in Great Britain.
“For renters, the findings are a reminder that competition can still be strong in many areas, despite the improvement in supply in recent years.
“Starting a search early and being ready with the information an agent or landlord may need can help put renters in the best possible position when a suitable property becomes available.”
