Cardiff and Glasgow saw the largest quarterly uplift, with rental demand climbing by 22.1% in both cities.
Rental demand has risen 9.9% in Q3 across the UK’s major cities, according to research estate and lettings agent Barrows and Forrester.
The analysis of 23 major UK cities found that rental demand averaged 42.9% during the third quarter of this year, a 9.9% increase on the previous quarter and 6.8% higher than this time last year.
Cardiff and Glasgow saw the largest quarterly uplift, with rental demand climbing by 22.1% in both cities.
Bristol (21.9%) and Edinburgh (21.5%) also saw tenant demand lift by more than 20% in Q3, with Cambridge completing the top five (19.6%).
Other cities to make the top 10 included Manchester (14.8%), Newcastle (11.2%), Southampton (10.9%), Plymouth (10.8%) and Birmingham (10.5%).
Newport was the only city to have seen a decline in demand in Q3, down 5.2% on the previous quarter.
Five cities saw demand in Q3 drop below the levels seen this time last year: Belfast (40.9%); Nottingham (3.5%); Portsmouth (3.3%); Liverpool (2.9%); and Plymouth (0.4%).
James Forrester, managing director of Barrows and Forrester, said: “There have been numerous indicators of late that the UK rental market is starting to once again find its feet after one of the most difficult periods in recent times.
"The demand for city rental homes, in particular, was heavily impacted during the pandemic and as a result, many landlords were forced to stomach a significant decrease in rental income in order to secure a tenant.
"However, this is starting to change and we’re seeing a notable uplift in demand for rental properties across many of the nation’s major cities.
"We expect to see a further boost over the coming months as many tenants look to secure a property ahead of the new year and a fresh start.”
