Following a survey held with over 600 landlords by a mortgage BTL lender, it claims that tenant demand exploded during June to September by record levels.

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The poll with those respondents who were unsure were not included in the results, highlighted 69% of landlords said they had experienced continuing levels of tenant demand, of which more than a third – 36% - stated the rise was ‘significant’.

Across England the South West and South East landlords reported net increases with 79% and 74% stating this ( not including London’s BTL investors).In the North East lower numbers of landlord reported an increase of demand from tenants – 59%.

However those central London investors experiencing a higher demand is much lower and stands at 54%, the area has had to endure the largest fall in demand with just a 16% increase. All is not lost as there is now a positive trend of renters slowly but surely returning to the capital.

A spokesperson for the lender, says: “Landlords have been recording rising levels of tenant demand following the first lockdown, which reflects the shift in housing need created by the virus.

The third quarter of the year is usually a busy one for the private rented sector (PRS) with graduates starting new jobs, the beginning of the academic year and people turning to housing once the holiday season is over.

“With this seasonal demand added to already high levels of tenant demand, we are beginning to see a shortage of property in certain parts of the PRS, which is leading to rental inflation. The sector needs to expand to meet these exceptional levels of tenant needs.