The pandemic has changed the property landscape in a number of ways.
Remote working has meant that people are looking to relocate out of cities and towards the countryside, and with so much extra time spent at home, square footage has never been more important.
But it’s not just buyers who are keeping these things in mind – individuals who are renting have switched up their priorities too.
New research from Zoopla has identified the most ‘searched-for’ features from renters. It analysed data from prospective renters between July and September of last year and found that a garden came out as the most desired characteristic.
This was followed by ‘parking’ and ‘garage’ as the second and third most searched-for terms, as well as ‘balcony’ in fourth place.
So it’s clear having an outdoor space is high on the agenda for renters, as well as a spot to accommodate vehicles – should they want to travel.
Following these were pet-friendly properties, as lockdown has no doubt seen a rise in people turning to their animals for comfort and companionship.
But this is more of a struggle as – according to Zoopla – just 7% of landlords advertise their homes as being suitable for pets.
Other features to come out on top included rooms with an en-suite, bills included in the rental price and a fully furnished property.
The first lockdown also may have prompted people to take the plunge and live on their own, as the real estate company identified a rise in people looking for studio flats.
Tom Parker, from Zoopla, explains that the demand for rental properties in the UK has increased by 20% year-on-year during the pandemic – even with the stamp duty holiday.
Commenting on the research, he said: ‘The priorities that renters once looked for pre-lockdown may have changed to match the times we’ve been living in, particularly with gardens having become the most desirable feature across the whole of the UK.’
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