Rising void costs hit landlord returns

Landlords are losing more than £1,100 on average each time a property sits empty between tenancies, with void costs increasingly dragging down returns.

Research by property management specialist Rushbrook & Rathbone found that the average cost of a void period in England has risen by 12.9% in the past year.

That’s up from £1,005 in April 2025 to £1,135 in April 2026.

London remains the most expensive region for voids and even with the lowest period of 16.6 days, landlords lose an average of £1,252.

The South East follows with an average void cost of £1,065, ahead of the South West at £1,060 and the East of England at £1,059.

Void costs are important

The firm’s managing director, Roma Sharma, said: “Many landlords focus on the rent they achieve, but the rental income lost between tenancies is often just as important as the rent achieved during them.

“A void period doesn’t just mean a temporary loss of rental income, landlords are also still contending with mortgage payments, insurance costs, service charges, maintenance obligations and other outgoings whilst a property sits empty.”

She added: “As a result, even a relatively short void period can have a meaningful impact on overall returns, particularly at a time when landlords are facing increasing compliance requirements and investment costs across the sector.”

Average void for landlords

The firm’s figures put the average void at 24 days and based on an average monthly rent of £1,438, that leaves landlords £1,135 out of pocket before another tenancy begins.

The West Midlands recorded the sharpest annual increase, with the average cost of a void period climbing by £307, or 52.9% year on year.

The East Midlands saw the second largest percentage increase, up 26.2%, adding £171 to the cost of a void period.

In the South West, costs rose by £183, or 20.9%, while the East of England saw an increase of £167, equivalent to 18.7%.