April Rental Market Hits a New High
Is the supply surge here to stay?
April picked up right where March left off; with a significant increase in rental listings across the market. In total, 1,383 new rentals were listed in Edinburgh and The Lothians on Rightmove last month. This is the highest monthly total in over four years.
In terms of total stock levels on the market at one time, Rightmove recorded 1,326 live rental listings at the end of April. That’s a record-breaking figure and a 46% increase compared to April 2024. Clearly, something is shifting.
What Does This Mean for Landlords?
More listings, more competition, but also more opportunity.
Yes, rising supply presents a challenge, but it’s not all one-sided. In fact, tenant activity rose sharply toward the end of April and our own data shows we agreed more lets than in April 2024.
The takeaway? Demand hasn’t disappeared, it’s just more selective. With the right pricing and presentation, landlords can still achieve strong results, especially heading into the busy summer months.
Tenants: Is This the Break You’ve Been Waiting For?
More choice. Better leverage. Slower rent hikes.
As the market begins to stabilise, tenants are finding themselves in a stronger position to negotiate. A growing supply of properties means more options and less pressure, while the pace of rent increases has begun to slow.
For those staying in their current homes, this shift also brings greater predictability and smaller rental adjustments.
Why the Sudden Spike in Listings?
A changing market, or a return to normal?
The exact cause of this rental supply surge isn’t crystal clear. Could it be potential tenants staying put longer in current accomodation, reducing the number of people looking for new rentals? Or perhaps landlords re-entering the market now that economic uncertainty has eased and rental caps have lifted?
Whatever the reasons, one thing is certain; we’re witnessing a clear shift. For landlords, that means staying competitive and responsive to market dynamics is more important than ever.
Looking Ahead to May
Where is the market headed next?
With supply trending upward and demand showing signs of resilience, May could prove pivotal for both landlords and tenants.
We’ll continue tracking the trends and sharing insights, helping you to navigate your next move, whether you’re a landlord or tenant.