Demand from tenants in the third quarter of this year increased to reach the highest level since the third quarter of 2016, the latest research carried out on behalf of Paragon Bank shows.

A survey of more than 700 landlords, conducted by BVA BDRC, found that 29% of landlords reported rising tenant demand during the three months to the end of September, the highest level for four years.

But the poll showed a clear regional variance in tenant demand.

Demand is currently growing most strongly in the North West and South West with 44% of landlords seeing growth in the region, followed by the East Midlands at 40%.

In stark contrast, central London recorded weaker tenant demand, with just 16% of landlords seeing growth in the last three months.

Outer London was slightly stronger, with a quarter of landlords recording rising demand in this area.

Richard Rowntree, Paragon Bank’s managing director of Mortgages, commented: “The record levels of tenant demand we saw being reported by the likes of Rightmove and Zoopla when the housing market reopened in May has started to feed through to landlords as tenants reassess where and how they want to live.

“Central London is clearly seeing the impact of Airbnb style landlords moving property into long-term lettings, as well as a desire for larger properties.

“Outside of London, demand is buoyant from the East of England, where 27% of landlords are reporting growth in demand, to the North East and South West, where nearly half of respondents are telling us they are seeing positive growth.”

He added: “We expect this to continue for the foreseeable future and there’s a number of factors we’re seeing at play. For example, there’s been growth in homeowners taking advantage of strong prices and selling to move into rented, people are looking to secure a new home ahead of entering a potential second lockdown, whilst students left it late to secure property for the new academic year.”