The residential apartment market in the USA showed added resolve during the third quarter, posting lower vacancies and higher rents, according to new research conducted by New York-based Reis Inc.

The research found that national vacancy fell to 5.9% at the end of September, compared to 6.4% during the middle part of 2005. Effective rents also increased by 1.2% during the third quarter, compared to a 0.6% increase in effective rents (rents minus concessions) during the second quarter.

The Reis data covers the nations 70 largest apartment markets, making it one of the most comprehensive surveys of the national market.