Rental voids fall after RRA changes, but remain above 2025 levels

Average rental void periods have eased across England since the Renters Rights Act came into force, but levels remain elevated than in 2025.

Analysis of Goodlord data by Rushbrook & Rathbone found the average rental void period across England currently stands at 21 days.

This represents an improvement of three days compared to May 2026, when average void periods peaked at 24 days following the introduction of the RRA.

However, void periods remain two days longer than in June 2025, when the average stood at 19 days.

Some regions have seen particularly notable improvements since May. The South West has recorded the largest reduction, with average void periods falling by 12.3 days, followed by the North East (-6.3 days), the West Midlands (-3.7 days) and the North West (-2.6 days).

At the same time, several regions continue to record longer void periods than they did a year ago. Yorkshire and the Humber has seen the largest annual increase (+3.8 days), followed by the East Midlands (+3.4 days), the South West (+2.0 days) and  the East of England (+1.9 days).

"It's encouraging to see void periods beginning to reduce following what has been one of the most significant periods of change the PRS has experienced in recent years,” said Roma Sharma, managing director at Rushbrook & Rathbone.

“However, landlords shouldn't view this as a sign that the hard work is done — 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 while protecting their long-term investment."