11^th Dec 2017

New research from an online property portal claims that a third of UK tenants when making their first enquiry about renting a new 'home' with an agent or landlord, expect to be moved in within two weeks.

The research found that 31.2% of tenants' expectations is to be 'home and dry' in their new rented residence within two weeks of making the initial contact; however 63.8% of respondents were happy to accept a month's moving in schedule.

Those prospective tenants who wished to be 'fast tracked' do not properly consider or understand the amount of preparatory work that landlords have to do before a tenancy can be granted, especially in the case of those property investors who are in fact part time landlords.

Nick Marr of the online property portal said: "Even if the landlord replies to the enquiry instantly, the landlord and tenant will need to arrange a time for viewing that suits both parties, conduct tenant referencing checks, sign contracts, manage deposits etc. before the new tenants can actually move in; leaving just two weeks to get from start to finish is definitely achievable, but leaves little wriggle room to handle delays."

Closer studying of the data shows that during September there is a peak in numbers of new tenants making enquiries, this is because of the annual influx of students trying to get last minute tenancies in time for their new educational year. This is usually experienced around the major university cities e.g. Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Durham and Newcastle.

The research also offers advice to landlords in reducing the risk of any void periods by advertising their property a month before it is available, as this timescale suits the majority of new tenants.



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