With the continuance of job losses as the recession digs its heels in a favourable trend is appearing for those not on, or looking to be on, the property ladder. As more people look to save money by moving in with their parents or by sharing flats which previously had one tenant, demand for flats to rent in Leeds is at a new low. This is particularly the case in West Yorkshire, where more rental flats sit empty than any other area. The boom Leeds realised in the last ten years was mostly funded by the fervour for buy to let mortgages following Leeds’ resurgence as a thriving student destination following years of post industrial stagnation.

This has caused a problem for landlords trying to let the plethora of empty properties, often a vicious circle emerges whereby the potential tenants are put off by the lack of neighbours, instead wanting to find a less isolated area. This problem is exaggerated by the tendency of buy to let developments often being constructed with the usual negligence found on the wave of a boom; in their rush to construct housing, no other infrastructure has been developed. These Leeds flat rentals are particularly unappealing, not just due to their eerie, echoing hallways but that there is not a shop nearby, nor would one survive anyway! This has led the landlords to make some dramatic offers to aid their sales, such as a free month’s rent, reduced lease length or even free heating supply. While now may prove to be a good time to step onto the property ladder, it could also be a good time not to!