Nottingham leads UK cities for busiest letting agents in 2026
New research reveals Nottingham has the highest average number of rental listings per letting agent among 21 major UK cities, highlighting regional variations in letting market activity this July.
According to data analysed by The Lettings Partnership, Nottingham letting agents are managing an average of 31.4 available rental listings each, more than double the national city average of 13.1. This positions Nottingham as the busiest city for letting agents in the UK in July 2026.
The research assessed estimated figures for available lets and active letting agencies across 21 major British cities, using market data sourced via Rightmove. Across all cities, 71,536 rental properties were being marketed by 5,454 letting agencies, averaging 13.1 listings per agent.
Details of city-by-city letting agent activity
Nottingham’s 3,078 available rental listings were handled by just 98 agencies, resulting in the highest listings-per-agent ratio. Newcastle followed in second place with 23.5 listings per agency, based on 2,886 available lets and 123 letting agents.
Aberdeen ranked third with an average of 18.2 listings per agency, followed by Birmingham (17.2) and Leeds (16.5). Other cities such as Plymouth, Bournemouth, Leicester, and Portsmouth all recorded averages above 15 listings per agent.
Conversely, London, despite having the largest volume of rental stock at 33,473 listings, had a lower average of 12.2 available lets per agency due to its high number of 2,744 letting agents. Manchester also ranked below the overall city average with 10 listings per agency. Glasgow and Newport recorded the lowest levels of activity, with averages of 8 and 6.8 listings per agent respectively.
Implications for landlords and letting agents
The variation in letting agent workloads across cities reflects differing market dynamics, supply and demand balances, and possibly regional economic factors. For landlords, understanding these differences is important when selecting letting agents, as busier agents may have less capacity for personalised service but potentially better market reach.
For letting agents, the data highlights areas where competition is intense and where operational efficiency is critical. Agents in cities with higher listings per agent may face greater pressure to maintain service quality and compliance amid heavier workloads.
These figures also suggest that local market conditions remain highly regionalised, with some cities experiencing tighter agency capacity relative to available stock. This could influence rental pricing strategies, tenant demand management, and the scope for new letting agencies to enter the market.
Context of ongoing rental market regulation and trends
This research comes amid continued regulatory changes affecting the private rented sector, including the Renters’ Rights Act and evolving landlord licensing regimes. Agents and landlords operating in high-activity cities like Nottingham may need to pay particular attention to compliance and tenant engagement to meet regulatory standards effectively.
Moreover, the data may inform policy discussions about regional housing supply and the role of letting agents in supporting balanced rental markets. Cities with lower agent workloads might indicate under-served markets or different landlord engagement models.
Considerations for landlords and agents going forward
Landlords should assess letting agents not only on the volume of listings but also on their capacity to provide thorough tenant referencing, compliance with safety and deposit regulations, and effective communication. High listings per agent could signal stretched resources, which may affect service quality.
Letting agents in busier cities must ensure robust systems for managing compliance obligations, including record keeping, safety checks, and tenancy documentation. They should also monitor local licensing requirements and anticipate further regulatory developments that could impact operational practices.
Both landlords and agents should stay informed about regional market trends and regulatory changes, adapting their strategies accordingly. Checking the latest official guidance remains essential as the rental sector continues to evolve.
Supporting landlords with compliance and management
The Landlord Association (TLA) offers membership that provides access to practical compliance resources and guidance tailored to the demands of busy letting markets. TLA’s new property management and compliance platform, ORBIT, currently in BETA testing, assists landlords and agents in organising property records, managing tenancy documents, and recording key actions such as inspections and repairs.
ORBIT’s developing features include tools to help maintain evidence of compliance activity and keep all property management information in one place, which is particularly valuable for portfolios in high-activity areas like Nottingham. TLA membership also offers updates on regulatory changes and support for meeting landlord licensing and safety obligations.
Exploring TLA membership can help landlords and agents prepare for the complexities of managing rental properties in cities with varying levels of letting agent activity and regulatory scrutiny.
Looking ahead, monitoring how letting agent workloads evolve alongside regulatory reforms will be important. The data underscores the need for tailored approaches to managing rental portfolios depending on local market conditions.
Sources: Letting Agent Today
TLA - The Landlord Association