There are not enough rental properties to meet demand, according to new research.

The Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA) has found that more than two-thirds (70 per cent) of their members report having more tenants than properties.

Commenting on the new figures, ARLA’s operations manager Ian Potter said: “This situation has been deteriorating rapidly in recent months, as the supply and demand of homes to buy is also swinging out of kilter – making the prospect of a severe rental housing shortage ever more likely.”

Since the last quarter, there has been a ten per cent rise in demand for rental properties.

The situation has become more acute since September, when less than a quarter (24 per cent) of agents reported a shortage.

Mr Potter blamed the government’s failure to “incentivise” investment in the private rented sector, arguing that the current shortage and the poor state of the housing market would mean “people going without homes they can afford”.

Posted by Luella Ravelin

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