{"id":5221,"date":"2016-11-04T16:16:37","date_gmt":"2016-11-04T15:16:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lettingaproperty.com\/landlord\/blog\/?p=5221"},"modified":"2026-07-06T07:56:40","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T06:56:40","slug":"whens-the-best-time-of-year-to-let-a-property","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lettingaproperty.com\/landlord\/blog\/whens-the-best-time-of-year-to-let-a-property\/","title":{"rendered":"When is the Best Time of Year to Let a Property?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

“Void periods” – not a phrase that we (or our landlords) are terribly keen on. So, let’s take a look at when is the best time of year to let a property<\/strong> and reduce void periods very quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re a first-time landlord or considering increasing your portfolio, having a sound knowledge of rental market peaks and troughs is an essential ingredient in making any buy-to-let a success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We’ve been letting property online since 2008 so we believe we\u2019re well placed to give you our very own insights to ensure you maximise your rental income throughout the year, and \u2018lock-in\u2019 tenants to ensure you\u2019re covered through the more challenging months of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Whilst you shouldn\u2019t find it too hard to find a tenant<\/a>, you may find that certain tenants are attracted by the prospect of moving at a specific time of year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to know when is the best time of year to let a property<\/strong>, take a look at these five time periods during the year to watch out for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

January-March: Consistent flow of tenant enquiries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A new rental home for a new year? Absolutely!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As well as tenants looking to make a fresh start in a new property at the start of a year, our research has shown that landlords investing in property should begin their search in January \/ February to allow time to exchange, complete and be ready for marketing during the spring and summer peak moving seasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

January is also a good time of year for landlords to be buying property<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

April-June: Tenant enquiries begin to rise<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From Good Friday to May Day, Bank Holidays is a good time of year to let a property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is because tenants can use a three-day weekend to move without having to take time off work. This is where you can really reap the benefits of investing during the earlier months of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be warned, however, note that an agreement ending in November or December falls in the \u2018low\u2019 season. In England, tenancies are now periodic rather than fixed term, so the focus is less on locking in an end date and more on marketing when demand is high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The number of tenant enquiries peak between the months of June and July, therefore, we would advise that this period is when it is the best time of year to let a property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

July-August: Is when is the best time of year to let a property as tenant enquiries at peak levels<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s during these summer months that many families will be looking to move and you should be able to find tenants fast<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is because they want to get their children settled in a new home and environment before the new school year starts in September. Also, the summer holidays mean that their children\u2019s education won\u2019t suffer any disruption during the move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

September: Best time of year to let a property to students<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you are looking to let to students, September is the best time of year to let a property to student tenants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While some students sort their accommodation months in advance, there will also be those who leave it until the last minute. In this case, they will be looking for a quick move before the new term starts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

October onwards: Tenant enquiries dip, quality of tenants increases<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although the level of enquiries starts to dip from mid October onwards during the \u2018low season\u2019 the quality of the enquiries increases as these seem to be from more genuinely motivated tenants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have a vacant property in the winter months, you should take measures to protect against frozen pipes<\/a> which can cause hundreds of pounds of damage to a rental property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now that you know when is the best time of year to let a property, take a look at our article on the best way to find a tenant for rental property<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

How the Renters’ Rights Act changes the timing question<\/h2>\n

The seasons still shape tenant demand, but the Renters’ Rights Act 2025<\/a> has changed the strategy. In England, from 1 May 2026 tenancies are periodic rather than fixed term, so you can no longer lock a tenant into an agreement that conveniently ends in a busy letting season, and a tenant can leave on two months’ notice at any time. That makes it even more important to market your property when demand is highest, so any void is filled quickly. A free rental valuation<\/a> and a fast find a tenant<\/a> service help you make the most of the peak months. Scotland and Wales have their own periodic tenancy regimes, but the seasonal demand pattern is broadly similar across Great Britain.<\/p>\n

Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n

When is the best time of year to let a property?<\/h3>\n

Tenant demand is highest from late spring through summer, peaking around June to August when families move before the new school year. Marketing your property in this window usually means the fastest let and the shortest void.<\/p>\n

What is the worst time of year to rent out a property?<\/h3>\n

Demand is lowest from late October through December, when fewer tenants move over winter and the holidays. Enquiries dip, although the tenants who do look at this time are often more serious and ready to move quickly.<\/p>\n

When is the best time to let to students?<\/h3>\n

For student lets the peak is the summer, with a rush in August and September before the new academic year, though many students in popular university cities secure accommodation months earlier.<\/p>\n

Does the Renters’ Rights Act change the best time to let?<\/h3>\n

It changes the emphasis. In England tenancies are now periodic, so you can no longer tie a tenant into a fixed term that ends in a strong season. That makes it more important to market when demand is highest, so any vacancy fills quickly.<\/p>\n

How can I avoid void periods?<\/h3>\n

Time your marketing to peak demand, price the property at the market rate, present it well, and reference tenants quickly so you can move them in without delay. A free rental valuation helps you set a competitive price from the start.<\/p>\n