Bradford has overtaken London and Manchester to claim the title of England’s least accessible rental market, according to new research from Tlyfe, the tenant app created by OpenBrix.
The West Yorkshire city has just 1.2% of its private rental stock available to let, equating to a mere 500 properties out of a total 42,700.
In comparison, London and Manchester, though also competitive, offer greater availability, with 2.9% and 2.4% of their rental stock on the market, respectively.
Despite the tight conditions in Manchester and London, the sheer size of their rental sectors provides some solace. Manchester currently has around 5,800 available properties, while London tenants have a far wider pool of 34,000 to choose from.
MORE CHALLENGING
In contrast, Bradford’s limited supply means aspiring tenants face a more challenging search for homes. The scarcity underscores the intense demand in the area, pushing would-be renters into stiff competition for a diminishing number of options.
The accessibility of rental markets varies widely across England, according to Tlyfe’s analysis of 12 major cities. Nottingham emerged as the most tenant-friendly city, with 13.8% of its rental properties available, providing renters with significantly more choice.
Leeds and Newcastle also offer more balanced conditions, with 9.3% and 6.3% of rental homes currently on the market. Sheffield, Brighton, and Bristol follow closely, each with between 5% and 6% availability.
In cities with higher availability, landlords are under pressure to improve their offerings to attract tenants, giving renters the upper hand in negotiations.
RENTAL RAT RACE
Adam Pigott, CEO of OpenBrix, warns that in high-demand cities like Bradford, Manchester, and London, tenants must act quickly and strategically to secure a property.
He says: “Finding a value-for-money rental property can feel like a rat race, as you compete with other eager tenants for what is essentially a limited level of rental stock.”
He advises tenants to prepare thoroughly by gathering references, conducting credit checks, and providing proof of income in advance.
“If you’re not sure where to start with this process, we’ve designed the first platform in Tlyfe that can help you get truly ‘rent ready,’ putting you ahead of the rest before you apply,” he adds.
TENANT TIGHTROPE
As demand continues to outstrip supply in cities like Bradford, the rental market remains a challenging landscape for tenants.
However, cities like Nottingham demonstrate that greater availability can shift the balance of power, encouraging higher standards and more competitive offerings from landlords.
For renters in Bradford and beyond, preparation and agility are the keys to navigating one of the most competitive rental markets the country has seen.
