The two hottest types of rental market in 2026

New data from flatsharing site Spareroom shows that two types of area are receiving the most tenant demand in 2026: very well connected, or very cheap.

The highest tenant demand per room in Q2 2026 was found in Bootle, Merseyside. The average room here rents for less than £500 a month, making it one of the least expensive areas in the country – although with more than 12 tenants competing for each room, prices could rise.

Meanwhile, commuter towns near major cities are also enjoying high demand – like West Bromwich, a short train ride from Birmingham, where prospective tenants outnumber listings 8 to 1. Spareroom also reports strong demand in areas like Richmond and Worcester Park (near London), Wilmslow (near Manchester), and Hamilton (near Glasgow).  

What’s missing from Spareroom’s list of high-demand areas? Cities. Spareroom director Matt Hutchinson says that tenants with lower budgets have been priced out of urban areas, young professionals are saving for home ownership by renting in cheaper areas, and older tenants often prefer a suburban lifestyle.