Stock levels bottomed out in September but on their way up
Since last month’s rental market update, the number of available properties on the Edinburgh market remains low but is starting to increase as we head into the winter and tenant demand starts to slow. This is normal for this time of year.
The year on year comparison shows the effects of the pandemic on the market with drastically low levels of stock on the market now. Available stock levels in November 2021 were 70% lower than November 2020 and 45% lower than November 2019.
While we expect a slight increase in December, stock will remain well below 2019/2020 as we enter the New Year. This means that tenants will have less properties to choose from and so each available property will be in higher demand, driving rents upwards.
Monthly lets stable but will drop off in December before climbing again in the New Year
The following chart shows a similar number of properties being let in October and November. We expect a drop of monthly lets into December before things pick up a lot in January as they generally do after tenants have more headspace over Christmas and New Year to consider their next move. The recent levels of monthly lets is well below the peak in July and August this year which has led to the low stock levels we’re now seeing.
Rents will continue to climb during the course of 2022
We expert monthly lets to consistently climb from January through to the summer 2022 as tenant activity increases from the New Year onwards and as more homes, particularly student flats, are added to the market in preparation for the next academic year. We expect demand for properties to continue to be strong against the supply of homes coming onto the market which will further drive rents upwards.