Void Periods Are Easing Under the Renters' Rights Act, But Not Back to Pre-Reform Levels
RealYield Team
Property Analyst
Void periods spiked the moment the Renters' Rights Act changed how tenancies work. Five months on, they're easing, but not all the way back.
We covered the basic economics of void periods back in March. This is the update: what's actually happened to void lengths since the Act came into force on 1 May 2026, and what it means for the numbers you should be budgeting with now.
The Headline Number
The average rental void period in England stood at 21 days in June 2026, according to research from lettings and property management firm Rushbrook & Rathbone. That's a real improvement, down 3 days from the 24-day peak recorded in May, the month the Act took effect.
It's not a full recovery, though. June 2025's average was 19 days, so landlords are still waiting 2 days longer between tenancies than they were a year ago.
"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 at Rushbrook & Rathbone.
Why the May Spike Happened
The mechanics are straightforward enough. From 1 May 2026, fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies stopped existing. Every tenancy became periodic, with new notice periods, a mandatory information sheet, and Form 4A requirements landlords and agents hadn't handled before.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long are void periods in England in 2026?
The average rental void period in England stood at 21 days in June 2026, according to research from Rushbrook & Rathbone. That's down from a peak of 24 days in May 2026, immediately after the Renters' Rights Act took effect, but still 2 days longer than the 19-day average recorded in June 2025.
Why did void periods spike after the Renters' Rights Act?
The Act ended fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies from 1 May 2026, moving all tenancies to a periodic basis with new notice requirements and paperwork, including the statutory information sheet and Form 4A. Landlords and agents adjusting to the new process in the first few weeks likely slowed re-letting, pushing the average void up to 24 days that month.
Are void periods the same in every part of England?
No. The national 21-day average hides a genuinely mixed picture. The South West has improved the most since May, down 12.3 days, but is still 2 days longer than a year ago. Yorkshire and the Humber, the East Midlands and London are all still running longer than June 2025 despite improving since the May peak.
How much does a void period actually cost a landlord?
Beyond the lost rent, you're still paying the mortgage, insurance, and any ground rent or service charge, plus council tax once any exemption ends. On a property let at England's current average rent of £1,451 a month, a 21-day void costs roughly £1,015 in lost rent alone, before turnaround costs like cleaning and re-advertising.
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