Tenants renting for longer: Arla

Professional accommodation inLeedsis now being rented out for a record number of months.

The Association of Residential Letting Agents (Arla) said private tenants up and down the country are choosing to stay in the rental sector for longer, with the average occupancy level increasing by over three months to a total of 19 months and a week.

 This 17% rise over two years could be due to a number of potential first-time buyers who cannot afford to buy their own home, Arla said.

 Commenting on the rental boom, Ian Potter from Arla, said: "Possibly as a reaction to tough financial times, tenants seem to be spending longer in their rented properties and the average tenancy is in excess of 19 months.

 "This increase in the length of tenancies will inevitably lead to greater wear and tear in rented accommodation and fewer opportunities for downtime between tenancies for landlords to make improvements."

  The company also warned landlords to keep a check on their property to monitor any damage done to create a smoother transition in tenants, making disputes less likely to arise.

  Copyright Press Association 2012