The average time that rental properties remain empty between tenancies increased to a record five weeks in May, research by Arla Propertymark has found.

The body representing lettings agents says that the time it took to find new tenants increased from three weeks in February as viewings were banned during lockdown and home moves were put on hold.

Average void periods have remained consistently around the three-week mark for the past year, apart from in December 2019 when they increased to four weeks.

The number of agents reporting rent increases by their landlord clients fell to 14 per cent – the lowest level ever recorded by the survey.

This compared to 41 per cent of agents reporting rent increase in February, before lockdown began and 45 per cent in May 2019.

The survey found that 2.5 per cent of tenants successfully negotiated a rent reduction in May, the highest percentage since March 2019.

The number of new prospective tenants fell to 70 per branch in May, compared to 82 in February. 

However, the level of pent-up demand resulting from lockdown meant it was still the highest level on record for the month of May, with 69 tenants registered in the same month last year and 60 in May 2018.

Following the housing market reopening, the number of properties managed per branch rose to 208 in May. 

This is an increase from pre-lockdown when the average number of properties managed per member branch stood at 201. 

This figure remains the same year-on-year.

Arla Propertymark chief executive David Cox says: “Our latest figures show that landlords and agents have been taking the brunt of the pandemic. “They are aware of the financial difficulties facing tenants and have shown empathy with many landlords not increasing rents where they otherwise might have needed to. 

“As we continue to move forward, it’s important that everyone aims to keep the rent flowing in order to sustain the market and help boost the economy following several months of uncertainty.”