Pre-Renters Rights Act Lettings Market Comment

Since Q3 in 2025, we have seen a decline in the number of lettings applicants and stock.

Based on year on year data from Rightmove we have seen the local market stock levels decrease by around 30%, and more worryingly around 60% fewer applicants as a general trend across Bournemouth and Poole.

The stock level decrease is fairly easy to explain as some landlords have chosen to sell up and exit the market, especially with some of the changes due to come in.

Explaining the decrease in applicant levels is more difficult. Normally you would expect that with less stock there would still be strong competition between tenants, increasing rent prices through classic supply and demand. However, with applicant numbers falling even faster than stock levels, it suggests that demand in the market has weakened as well.

Tenants may simply be choosing to stay put rather than move, or prices may have now reached a level where affordability is limiting the number of people actively looking to relocate. In some cases this could mean rents will need to soften slightly in order to encourage movement and fill vacancies in empty properties.

If you wish to discuss how this may affect your property please contact MRKT Property Experts on 01202 554470.