Average rental void periods across England have eased since the Renters' Rights Act came into force in May, though they remain above the levels recorded a year ago, according to analysis by property management firm Rushbrook & Rathbone.
The firm compared average void periods for June 2026 against both May 2026, the first month under the new legislation, and June 2025. The average void period currently stands at 21 days, down three days from the May peak of 24 days.
However, that figure remains two days above the June 2025 average of 19 days, indicating that while the market is settling, landlords are still experiencing longer gaps between tenancies than they were 12 months ago.
Regional variation is considerable. The South West recorded the largest improvement since May, with average void periods falling by 12.3 days. The North East followed with a reduction of 6.3 days, ahead of the West Midlands (3.7 days), the North West (2.6 days) and Yorkshire and the Humber (2.3 days).
Despite those improvements, several regions continue to run above their year-ago figures. Yorkshire and the Humber recorded the largest annual increase at 3.8 days, followed by the East Midlands (3.4 days), the South West (2.0 days), the East of England (1.9 days) and London (1.8 days).
Rushbrook & Rathbone notes that the legislative change has prompted a broader shift in how some landlords are approaching portfolio management, with growing interest in areas beyond compliance, including maintenance standards, tenant communication and the efficient turnaround of properties between lets.
"It's encouraging to see void periods beginning to reduce following what has been one of the most significant periods of change the private rented sector has experienced in recent years," said Roma Sharma, managing director of Rushbrook & Rathbone.
"However, landlords shouldn't view this as a sign that the hard work is done. Whilst many initially focused on ensuring they were compliant with the requirements introduced by the Renters' Rights Act, we're now seeing a much broader shift in mindset.
"Increasingly, landlords are asking how they can build more professional, resilient rental portfolios that not only meet today's regulatory standards, but continue performing well in the years ahead. That extends far beyond compliance. It means working with experienced letting agents, investing in professional property management, maintaining properties proactively, communicating effectively with tenants and reducing unnecessary void periods wherever possible.
"The most successful landlords aren't simply reacting to legislative change. They're using it as an opportunity to improve every aspect of how their properties are managed, delivering a better experience for tenants whilst protecting their long-term investment."
