Property investment landscape assessed

Posted: 01 Sep 2009 09:59:51 GMT

The average number of days a buy-to-let investment property stays empty during the year has fallen, according to new research - and this has been described as "healthy" for the sector.

Mark Garner, managing director of landlord services website LettingZone, said that void periods - where a rented property is empty - are "a killer" for industry professionals.

Voids should be minimised and the fact this appears to be occurring helps the overall property investment market, he said.

Mr Garner's comments came after LSL Property Services reported that the average number of days a property stands empty each year has fallen to 26.7.

Commenting further, the expert suggested that the south-east of England is the driver of the rental market.

"Rents have stabilised - they have come down a bit over the last year, but they are stabilising now," he added. "It is looking a lot more certain and a lot more healthy for the long-term future."


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