There has never been a better
time to be a landlord - an opinion that would seem to be backed up by a
recent statement from the letting industry's leading body. Mike Betteridge of <a href="http://www.belvoirlettings.com/pooleandwestbourne">Belvoir Lettings</a> based in Westbourne, Bournemouth, Dorset, has seen his
business go from strength to strength in recent months, and this buoyant
outlook looks set to continue as rental voids hit an eight-year low.
The Association of Residential Lettings Agents <a href="http://www.arla.co.uk">(ARLA)</a> recently reported that
the average void period - a key indicator of the buoyancy of the rental
market - has fallen to its lowest level for eight years as demand for rental
property remains high.
In a survey of ARLA's members, the average void period has again fallen
compared with the previous quarter from 3.6 weeks to 3.2 weeks and the
average void period of the whole country is down quite sharply in its third
consecutive fall.
"There continues a high demand for rental property in Poole & Bournemouth as more and
more people struggle to get onto the housing market or find themselves
unable or unwilling to keep up with mortgage payments," said Mike.
"As this trend looks set to continue we are looking forward to another
record year in 2011. "This statement from ARLA comes as no surprise to us, as it seems the demand
for rental property is continuing to rise across the country."
