Portsmouth rental market regains momentum increase in demand

Demand for rented homes has bounced by 30 per cent over the two weeks leading up to April 14, as the rental market gains back momentum – a trend which is being seen across the UK.

Private landlord, Alwin Oliver, who is a member of the Portsmouth and District Private Landlords Association, said they have seen demand increase, particularly from university students who are showing interest in the rental market.

He said: ‘It’s great that the market is starting up again, we have noticed it. There’s good signs of recovery, we’re getting lots of enquiries.

‘It has been difficult and most, if not all landlords are working from home. I’ve been doing virtual viewings through FaceTime.

‘Landlords and letting agents are the hidden key workers.’

He also said that people, particularly students, who are looking to rent, should be cautious about people looking to take advantage of the current situation and scam people.

The Southsea-based agent said: ‘We’re seeing some signs of that increase in the student market with students wanting to take a property without viewing it.

‘It’s important that if anyone is being asked to take a property without viewing it, check that it is legitimate, because there will be people in the market trying to take advantage.

‘The scammers put up something saying that they’re away from home and that they will post the keys, then they vanish into thin air. People are exploiting the situation.

‘They should check that the landlord or letting agent is registered with the Property Association, if it’s student housing that it’s registered with the university, however not all of them are. They can also check if they are registered through the Land Registry.’

According to property website Zoopla, the increase follows an initial 57 per cent decline in demand for rental housing in the two weeks leading up to March 30, which the firm says is driven by the impact of coronavirus.

Despite the signs of life returning to the sector, rental demand is still 42 per cent lower than at the start of March.

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