Propertymark says tenant demand stayed far ahead of supply in April, with member branches logging an average of 86 new applicant registrations against just 12.65 available rental properties. The trade body also said average void periods held at three weeks, underlining how quickly stock is still being absorbed despite a slight month-on-month rise in supply.
The latest Housing Insight Report for April 2026 also found that agents agreed an average of 9.63 new tenancies per branch during the month. For landlords, that points to a market where homes are still being filled quickly, but where pricing, condition and local competition continue to matter as affordability pressure builds.
Demand still outweighs available rental stock
Propertymark’s figures suggest there were roughly seven prospective tenants for every available rental property in April. That is not a formal national tenant-to-home ratio, but it gives a clear picture of the pressure still running through the market at branch level.
The trade body said the average number of properties available for rent edged up to 12.65 per member branch, while registrations jumped to 86. That combination matters for landlords because it shows supply improved only slightly while the pool of prospective tenants remained far larger.
This follows Landlord Knowledge’s report on Propertymark’s May rent tracker, which found affordability pressure was already spreading through regional rental markets. April’s branch-level figures add another sign that demand remains strong enough to keep competition high even when more stock comes through.
What the April figures mean on the ground
Propertymark also said the average number of new tenancies agreed per branch was 9.63 in April, while average void periods were three weeks. For landlords, that suggests well-presented homes in workable price bands are still letting, but there is little sign of excess supply building up.
Nathan Emerson, chief executive of Propertymark, said the rental market continued to see demand “significantly outstrip available supply” even though stock levels improved slightly during the month. He added that there were still around seven applicants competing for every available property and said policymakers should stay focused on measures that support housing supply across all tenures.
That landlord takeaway is not simply about headline demand. With rents under political and affordability pressure, the more useful signal is that voids have not stretched out even as stock has ticked up. Landlords who are refurbishing, reletting or reviewing pricing can still take some confidence from that, especially in areas where supply remains tight.
At the same time, the data is a reminder that tenant budgets are still under strain. Branch demand can stay elevated even when tenants are becoming more selective about location, condition and monthly cost. Landlords who push rents too hard may still face longer marketing periods than the headline averages suggest.
There is also a wider market link here. In a separate LK report on rising void costs for landlords, the financial hit from unlet periods was put at more than £1,100 on average. Propertymark’s latest branch figures suggest many landlords can still avoid that pain if homes are priced realistically and made ready to let without delay.
What this means for landlords
- If you’re reletting soon: demand still looks strong, so speed of preparation and sensible pricing should matter more than chasing the very top of the market.
- Watch for: local affordability limits – high enquiry volumes do not always mean tenants can absorb further rent increases.
- Bottom line: supply remains tight enough to support letting activity, but landlords still need a disciplined approach on price and property standards.
Editor’s view
These figures are not a green light for complacency. Strong demand still helps landlords, but the branch data also suggests the market is rewarding realism rather than overreach, especially where tenant affordability is already stretched.
Author: Editorial Team – UK landlord & buy-to-let news, policy, and finance
Published: 17 June 2026
Sources: Propertymark Housing Insight Report: April 2026
Related reading: Propertymark: Scotland rents jump 7.7% in May as affordability pressure spreads
