Cambridge one of six areas where rent prices have dropped – and properties for rent there

Average rent in Cambridge has dropped by 0.3 percent in the last three months, according to property insights company Zoopla. London also saw a 0.3 percent drop in the same period, while Glasgow and York saw a marginally bigger drop – of 0.4 percent.

The decrease in the average rent paid in Brighton was 1.1 percent, and Nottingham saw the greatest percentage fall – at 1.4 percent. Zoopla puts these changes down to localised changes to supply, more price-sensitive demand, and the fact that January to April is typically a quieter time for the rental market.

The property insights describes the changes as “modest” when taken in the context of the recent rent growth. However, its Rental Market Report suggests that rental market dynamics are beginning to turn in some markets.

Read more: The average prices for different types of property in Cambridge

Read more: The cheapest and most expensive places to buy a home in Cambridgeshire

Many other regions have seen rent increases. In Gloucester, Sunderland and Northampton, for instance, rents have risen by up to three percent over the last quarter.

As the general election approaches, Zoopla has also called for a rental reform to improve the protections for existing renters. Richard Donnell, executive director at Zoopla said: “The increase in the cost of renting has slowed to a 30-month low. Rents continue to grow faster than average earnings although the gap is much narrower than a year ago.

“Rental demand continues to run well ahead of available supply which is keeping the upward pressure on rents but there are some areas where rental growth has stalled. The number of private rented homes has been static since 2016, which has compounded the rise in rents over the last three years.

“Growing the supply of rented homes, both private and affordable, should be among the top housing priorities for the next government. A healthy private rented sector is vital for economic growth and a more balanced housing market.

“More supply is the fastest route to easing the pressure on renters and improving the overall quality of rented homes.”

Across the UK, competition in the rental sector remains high. An average of 15 households chases every rental home, more than 2.5 times the six households that did so before the pandemic.

The choice of homes has increased, however. Each estate agent has an average of 18 percent more homes for rent this year when compared with last year.

Homes in Cambridge where rent has reduced

Some homes for rent in Cambridge that are advertised on Zoopla have seen price reductions. For instance, this three-bedroom terraced house in Newmarket Road costs £2,400 per month – which represents a drop from its previous price of 18.6 percent, according to Zoopla. The last rent reduction was in February this year.

This two-bedroom flat on Randal Way costs £1,800 a month. According to Zoopla, this represents a decrease of 12.3 percent when compared to its previous rent, and the rent was last reduced in April 2024.

Zoopla is advertising a one-bedroom flat on Bateman Street for £1,500 a month. This is 16.6 percent lower than rent previously was, according to Zoopla, and the last reduction was in March 2022.