Increases in rental income and the average length of void periods have resulted in a 13.8% increase in the average cost of a void period for landlords and their managing agents in England, research by Dwelly has revealed. In one particular region, the increase has hit nearly 64%.
Dwelly has analysed the latest void period data and the average rent price data for December 2025 to understand how the cost of voids has changed over the past year.
Between December 2024 and December 2025, the average void period between outgoing and incoming tenants in England increased from 21 days to 23 days. At the same time, the average rent increased from £1,370 per month to £1,424 per month.
As a result, landlords have seen the average cost of a void period grow from £946 to £1,077, an annual increase of 13.8%.
The largest increase in void costs has been recorded in the West Midlands. The region’s landlords have seen their costs grow by 63.6% on the year, driven by the fact that the average void period increased from 18 days in 2024 to 28 days in 2025. This is the longest average void period across all English regions.
Void period costs increased by 19.6% in the East of England, followed by the South East (17.9%), London (13.5%), the North West (6.1%), South West (5.2%), North East (3%), and East Midlands (0.9%).
Interestingly, the only region to see void costs fall is Yorkshire & Humber, where an overall decline of -0.4% has been driven by a slight decline in the average length of a void period, from 22 days to 21 days.
"Void periods are an inevitable reality of the rental market, and landlords are constantly seeking ways to limit their impact on profitability," Sam Humphreys, head of M&A at Dwelly, said.
He added: "That impact becomes even more pronounced in a higher interest rate environment, and this research highlights just how quickly costs can escalate. A seemingly modest two-day increase in void length has translated into an almost 14% rise in the average cost of a void period.
"While voids cannot be eliminated entirely, their duration can be significantly reduced. Landlords are best served by working with proactive, efficient letting agents who are continuing to evolve their proposition through tech-led solutions, stronger operational infrastructure, and more streamlined processes.
"These improvements help agents accelerate re-letting, improve service levels, and ultimately ensure properties spend less time empty and more time generating income."
