Tenants are paying more. Landlords are returning. And in this part of the UK, the rental market has moved from slow and uncertain to fast and expensive. People are feeling it.

Average rents in the area have gone up by 9.4 per cent, according to new data from Letting Agent Today. Agents are seeing more enquiries, more offers above the asking price, and faster move-ins. It is not just a better market for landlords. It is a harder one for tenants.

Less Supply, More Demand

There are fewer homes to rent. That has pushed up competition. Many landlords sold properties or left the market over the past few years. Others delayed letting due to regulation changes or lower demand. Now they are slowly coming back. But not quickly enough to meet the demand from renters, especially working families and young professionals.

Nick Statman, a property expert with years of local experience, said this shift reflects a return to clear supply and demand patterns. He believes it is not about speculation. He points to location, job stability, and commuter access as the reasons behind the shift. These are not big changes, but they are enough to tip the market in favour of landlords again.

Real Stress for Renters

For renters, the pressure is real. Families are getting priced out of neighbourhoods where they have lived for years. People with average incomes are being outbid. Letting agents say some tenants are offering to pay six or even twelve months of rent up front to improve their chances. Others are lowering their expectations just to get into a property before it’s gone.

The homes in highest demand are two and three-bedroom properties. They are not luxury flats or large houses. They are practical spaces for people who need room for kids, a partner, or a flatmate. These properties used to sit on the market for a couple of weeks. Now they are being let in a matter of days.

The emotional toll shows up in daily conversations. Tenants are saying they feel pushed out. Some are applying for homes outside of their area to avoid losing time. Others are making decisions too quickly and later regretting them. The fast pace does not just change how people rent. It changes how they live.

Landlords Are Coming Back with Caution

Landlords are responding to the demand. Some are improving older properties. Others are buying again after years of holding back. Agents say landlords are asking more questions about tenant reliability and less about short-term profits. That’s a change from previous years. Many are now looking for longer tenancies and more stable returns.

Nicholas Statman, who advises property investors across the country, said this part of the UK is now more predictable than most. He said the local market is showing signs of balance, with steady rent growth and manageable risk. That balance is what many landlords had been waiting for.

This Region Has Excellent Advantages

The region itself has stayed relatively stable. Job centres have held firm. Public transport has not declined. Schools and services are still functional. That makes a difference when people decide where to rent or invest.

Conclusion

The rental market here is not the same as it was twelve months ago. Renters feel the pressure. Landlords feel the opportunity. And between them sits a market that has clearly moved into a new phase.