Tenant demand across England remained strong during Q1 2026, with 27.4% of all rental listings securing a tenant, according to The Letting Partnership.

Demand climbed 2.3% over the quarter across England as a whole, however it remains marginally down on an annual basis, falling by 0.9%.

Chris Mason, COO of The Letting Partnership, said: “Tenant demand remains consistently strong across much of the country and what this index highlights is just how quickly available rental stock continues to be absorbed in many areas.

“At the same time, with the Renters’ Rights Act already bringing significant legislative changes, landlords are increasingly relying on letting agents for guidance and support. That means agents not only need to operate efficiently, but also ensure they are maintaining high standards across compliance and client money handling. 

“As the market continues to evolve, the ability to combine strong operational processes with clear, well-managed compliance will be key. Those agents who can do both effectively will be best placed to deliver for landlords and tenants, whilst navigating an increasingly demanding and regulated market.”

West Sussex recorded the strongest level of tenant demand in Q1, where 51.6% of all rental listings have already been let. Suffolk also ranks highly at 47%, followed by Shropshire at 44.2%. 

Looking at annual trends, Cumbria has seen the largest increase in demand, rising by 7.5% over the last year. Shropshire follows at 6.8%, with Warwickshire up 6.5%.