Accent Property has reported unprecedented demand across its Cambridge rental portfolio.

The Cambridge-based letting agency has seen tenant registrations increase month on month through the first quarter of 2010, a trend being mirrored nationally as rental stock levels remain critically low and buyers continue to struggle on the property ladder.

With such high demand, Sarah Cox (general manager at Accent Property) has seen rental yields climb by 3-5%: “There is currently fierce competition amongst applicants often vying for the same home and we’re working hard to place the right tenants in the right property. Rental values are generally increasing and our void periods remain at a record low – all of which is good news for our landlords.”

Her findings are supported by the recent report independently commissioned by buy-to-let lender Paragon, which also highlights the rise in demand for rented accommodation. Speaking to Estate Agent Today, Nigel Terrington (chief executive of Paragon) agreed that current market conditions were favourable for landlords, commenting: “They are enjoying unprecedented levels of tenant demand, and structural changes taking place in the UK will create further demand.”  But he also stressed the need for support from the government in order to expand supply.

Sarah agrees, but also points out that: “With rental stock levels low across the region, this is an ideal time to be investing. Canny buy-to-let landlords are already adding property to their portfolio and seeing their rental yields increase.

“But with so many Cambridge letting agents to choose from, it’s important that landlords and investors scrutinise what’s on offer and select a reliable service provider. Here at Accent Property, we have continued to grow our Cambridge lettings portfolio, develop our range of services for both our landlords and tenants, and increase our share of what is certainly a competitive market place here in Cambridge.

“ARLA-registered, Accent Property was also named Independent Letting Agency of the Year by Negotiator Magazine. What’s more, we work closely with our sister company, Chard Robinson Property Investment, in order to furnish landlords and investors in Cambridge with expert buy-to-let advice and a range of exclusive investment opportunities.

“In short, I think that our Quality Lettings Only promise speaks for itself; landlords and buy-to-let investors in Cambridge need to be confident that they’re receiving a regulated, reliable and professional service throughout the lettings process, and we bring them that.”