Rising Void Costs Impact England’s Landlords

Void periods—the time a rental property remains empty between tenancies—are becoming increasingly costly for landlords across England. Research from Dwelly reveals that the average financial loss linked to void properties has climbed by 13.8% over the past year. This increase is due to a combination of longer vacancy periods and rising rents, which together have pushed average void costs from £946 to £1,077 per month.

The data shows that the average void length has extended from 21 days in December 2024 to 23 days in December 2025. Meanwhile, average monthly rents rose from £1,370 to £1,424 during the same period. These factors combined have resulted in landlords facing significantly higher costs during void periods, which can affect overall rental income and profitability.

Regional Variations Highlight Cost Pressures

Void costs have not increased uniformly across England. The West Midlands stands out as the region experiencing the steepest rise, with void-related losses jumping by 63.6% year on year. This surge is largely attributed to an increase in average vacancy length from 18 days to 28 days. Such a prolonged gap between tenancies can severely impact landlords’ cash flow.

Other regions have also seen notable increases: the East of England recorded a 19.6% rise in void costs, while the South East saw a 17.9% increase. London landlords experienced a 13.5% rise, reflecting the broader trend of growing void expenses in more competitive rental markets.

In contrast, the North West and South West saw more modest growth in void costs, at 6.1% and 5.2% respectively. The North East posted a 3% increase, and the East Midlands remained largely stable with a 0.9% rise. Interestingly, Yorkshire and Humber bucked the trend with a slight decrease in void costs of 0.4%, thanks to a marginal improvement in re-letting times, where the average vacancy shortened from 22 days to 21 days.

What This Means for Landlords

Sam Humphreys, Head of M&A at Dwelly, emphasised the inevitability of void periods in the rental market but highlighted the importance of managing their impact. “Void periods are an inevitable reality of the rental market, and landlords are constantly seeking ways to limit their impact on profitability,” he said. Humphreys noted that even a small increase of two days in void length has translated into an almost 14% rise in the average cost of a void period.

He further explained that void costs become more significant in a higher interest rate environment, where landlords face greater financial pressures. However, Humphreys also pointed out that while voids cannot be eliminated entirely, their duration can be significantly reduced. He recommended working with efficient letting agents who use streamlined processes to accelerate re-letting and minimise vacancy periods.

Strategies to Mitigate Void Costs

Given the rising costs associated with void periods, landlords should consider proactive measures to reduce vacancy lengths. Collaborating with letting agents who have effective tenant sourcing and management systems can help fill properties more quickly. Additionally, maintaining properties in good condition and offering competitive rents aligned with local market levels can attract tenants faster.

Understanding regional variations in void costs can also inform landlords’ investment and management strategies. For example, landlords operating in the West Midlands may need to be particularly vigilant about minimising void periods due to the sharp increase in vacancy lengths and associated costs.

Conclusion

The increase in void costs across England highlights a growing challenge for landlords in the private rented sector. With average void periods lengthening and rents rising, landlords face higher financial losses during vacancies. Efficient management and collaboration with experienced letting agents are essential to mitigate these costs and protect rental income.

Suggested internal link anchors

• void periods
• rental property vacancy
• letting agents
• rental market trends
• landlord profitability
• private rented sector
• vacancy length
• rental income management
• regional rental markets
• tenant demand

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