Renters faced competition from dozens of other prospective tenants in some markets this summer, with the North West dominating Britain's rental hotspots. New Rightmove analysis shows that available homes in Birkenhead and Wallasey attracted an average of 30 enquiries each during July and August.
Carlisle followed closely behind with 29 enquiries per property, while Glasgow recorded 28 and East Kilbride 27. Three of the six most competitive locations were on the Wirral. Meanwhile, six of Britain's top 10 rental hotspots were in the North West.
Pressure remains in some areas
The figures underline the pressure still facing tenants in some areas, despite a broader easing in competition across the rental market.
Across Great Britain, each available rental property attracted an average of 11 enquiries during July and August. That compares with 12 during the same period last year and a peak of 28 in summer 2022. However, demand remains above the pre-pandemic summer average of eight enquiries per available property.
Scotland leads regional competition
Rightmove counts an enquiry when a prospective tenant phones or emails a letting agent to request a viewing. Its analysis covered 1,000 locations across Great Britain.
Scotland recorded the highest regional level of competition, averaging 19 enquiries per property. The North West followed with 16. Average advertised rents across Britain now stand at £1,580 per month, according to Rightmove. However, rental growth has slowed as improving supply gives tenants greater choice.
Top summer rental hotspots
Birkenhead topped the list with an average rent of £874 per month, followed by Wallasey at £975. Carlisle averaged £913, Glasgow £1,181, and East Kilbride £1,049. Prenton recorded 27 enquiries at £1,089, while Kingswood in the South West saw 25 enquiries at £1,542. Chorlton Cum Hardy and Morecambe each drew 22 enquiries, with rents of £1,610 and £887 respectively, and Salisbury in the South West rounded out the top 10 with 21 enquiries at £1,371.
Colleen Babcock, Rightmove's property expert, said: "July and August are typically the busiest months of the year for the rental market, and our analysis shows that competition remains particularly strong in some parts of Great Britain.
"While rental supply has rebalanced compared with previous years, there are still locations where each available home attracts high numbers of enquiries from prospective tenants.
"The North West features particularly prominently in our findings, accounting for six of the ten most competitive locations, while Scotland recorded the highest average level of competition anywhere in Great Britain."
She added: "For renters, the findings are a reminder that competition can still be strong in many areas, despite the improvement in supply in recent years."
