New market analysis shows that rising rents combined with slightly longer void periods are pushing up the true cost of empty properties for landlords across England. Recent data indicates that the average void period has increased from 21 to 23 days year-on-year, while average monthly rents have also climbed. Together, this has driven the average cost of a void period up by nearly 14%.
Regionally, the picture is mixed. The West Midlands has seen the sharpest rise in void costs, while Yorkshire & Humber is one of the few areas to record a small improvement, with average void periods shortening slightly. That said, even small gaps between tenancies now have a greater financial impact than they did a year ago.
For landlords, this reinforces the importance of forward planning and efficient turnaround between lets. Early marketing, realistic pricing, prompt maintenance works, and strong tenant referencing all help reduce downtime.
At Littlefairs, our average void period is just 14 days as we focus heavily on pre-marketing, streamlined compliance, and coordinated property preparation so homes can be re-let quickly and with minimal income loss. In a higher-cost environment, reducing void time is no longer just helpful — it’s essential to protecting yield.
