The latest Zoopla Rental Market Report for December 2025 dropped over the Christmas period, showing a further shift towards a more balanced UK rental market as we head into 2026.
According to Zoopla’s research:
- Rental growth has slowed to 2.2% year-on-year, the slowest pace seen in four years, reflecting easing pressure on rental prices.
- Tenant demand has fallen by around 20% compared to last year – the lowest level for this time of year in six years.
- Rental supply is up by approximately 15%, giving renters more choice and helping rebalance the market.
- Properties are taking longer to let, with the average time to rent now around 17 days.
- The average UK rent for new lets is around £1,320 per month, based on data to October 2025.
What this means for landlords and renters
For landlords, slower rental growth and rising supply underline the importance of competitive pricing and effective marketing to attract quality tenants.
Our view is that whilst we are certainly seeing some rebalance in the market, with some increase in the time taken to let properties, the bottom line is that good rental properties in the South Cotswolds are still in short supply.
Well-maintained, well priced properties that are managed efficiently continue to provide landlords with a good rental return with minimal voids.
For renters, the improved balance between supply and demand may offer greater choice and less pressure on rents compared with recent years.
That said, our experience is that good properties still get snapped up fast. Renters need to be proactive and make sure they put themselves across in the best way to prospective landlords.
You can read the full Zoopla Rental Market Report here.
At Victoria Allman Lettings, we help landlords stay ahead of market changes and support tenants in finding homes that suit their needs and budgets. If you’re thinking of letting or renting in the South Cotswolds area, we’d love to chat about how we can help.
To help you make the most of your rental investment, we are offering landlords a free, no-obligation rental valuation to give you an accurate picture of where your property stands in today’s market – and whether there is scope to increase your returns.
Get in touch through our Property Valuation page or call 01666 338866.
