The rentals market has been lively, reflecting the seasons. Catherine
Cockcroft from Aylesford International says this is the time of year when families look for houses. “They can go on holiday and come back to the house in September when the new school year kicks off,” she says.

“Many of them want houses at the £3000 to £4000 a week level,” Cockcroft points out. The rentals market is very subjective, she adds. “People are quite specific about what they want – enough bedrooms to accommodate the children or a certain location – so you have to find the right thing for the right person.”

Ollie Coe at Dauntons, who specialises in flats, notes a great deal of interest from young professionals currently. “There’s plenty of stock – we are getting flats to put back onto the market now – and typically many are going for about £10 a week below the asking price,” Coe reports.

He is finding both landlords and tenants are more realistic now, which makes negotiating easier. He suggests landlords “clean a flat up so it looks new and make sure they don’t over-furnish” to attract the best tenant.

Demand from corporate tenants in the £2000 to £3000 a week bracket is picking up, suggests Mark Tunstall at Savills Knightsbridge.

“At the same time, after several months where we’ve had little new supply, stock levels are starting to improve – primarily in the mid to upper price ranges. Quality stock at under
£1000 a week remains in short supply,” he explains.

His colleague Sophie Curtis of Savills Fulham doesn’t think landlords have to bend over backwards to meet tenants’ needs, but flexibility can bring results.

“A landlord allowed a French tenant to paint the house brightly in turquoise and purple, and the landlord had to redecorate in neutral tones after they moved out,” Curtis says.