"While location is paramount, and despite the annual rent increase in the UK now being almost half of what it was a year ago (5.7%), as reported by the HomeLet Rental Index, affordability remains significantly important"
- Rachel Hanniquet-Brooking - Apo
Despite a constant tirade of news surrounding rental hikes and landlord-tenant tensions in other regions, new research launched today has revealed Birmingham appears to be among the most renter-friendly cities in the UK.
According to an independent survey of 2,000 renters by Apo at The Holloway, Birmingham city centre's newest rental development, 68% of renters in the city are happy with their current rental accommodation – a step up from the national average of 65%. Of these, 30% go so far as to say they are very happy, a notable jump from the UK-wide figure of 24%.
Key reasons cited for such high levels of satisfaction among Birmingham’s rental community include a good location (37%), reasonable prices (26%) and access to parking (24%).
Further contributing to a picture of rental contentment, 66% of Birmingham renters stated that they have not had a bad experience with their current or previous landlords. They identified the top qualities of a good landlord as maintaining and caring for their property (40%), treating tenants with respect and trust (37%) and handling property issues professionally and swiftly (37%). An overwhelming majority (87%) also stated that they feel safe where they currently live.
Furthermore, it appears that Birmingham’s low-maintenance landlords are more partial than most to welcoming pets into their properties, with 53% of Birmingham renters having a pet. Of these, 66% have a dog and 43% have a cat.
Notably, when choosing a rental property in Birmingham, location (35%) and affordability (34%) were the top priorities. Renters also expressed a desire for amenities, with 30% listing a gym at the top of their wish list, followed by a swimming pool (25%). Despite the rise in remote working, only 4% desired co-working spaces.
Rachel Hanniquet-Brooking, Apo’s Managing Director, commented: “Our study underscores the critical factors driving renter satisfaction. While location is paramount, and despite the annual rent increase in the UK now being almost half of what it was a year ago (5.7%), as reported by the HomeLet Rental Index, affordability remains significantly important.
"Our research also clearly highlights the importance of better landlord-tenant communication and a proactive approach to understanding evolving tenant needs.”
