Savills Portugal

When the housing markets reopened last year demand for rental properties outside London soared as people reassessed their lifestyles. Many tenants were driven by a desire to “try before they buy” – wanting to test out an area before committing to a long-term purchase.

Some 18 months on and that pace shows little signs of slowing – with rental properties in Guildford and its surrounds still in high demand. The area continues to attract those wanting to be in close proximity to the capital yet benefitting from the freedom and space on offer from the surrounding countryside.

The Surrey Hills are the perfect spot for walking or biking enthusiasts, followed by a leisurely lunch in one of the many cosy pubs (a firm favourite of mine being the Grantley Arms in Wonersh, with the William Bray in Shere coming a close second).

Guildford and nearby Farnham meanwhile offer a fine selection of shops and restaurants for those in search of some retail therapy, with many recognised brands as well as bespoke independents.

Families coming from London have been the big movers since the pandemic – professionals working from home instead of the City and looking to avoid the comparatively higher rents closer to the capital. Interestingly, this has been the case even outside the usual ‘summer surge’. Many families are biding their time and moving into smaller properties until something a little larger comes along.

A lack of availability means that homes have been snapped up within days, if not hours, of coming onto the market. It’s therefore more important than ever for people to register with an agent to ensure they are kept up to date with any new launches.

High levels of competition have led to multiple bids and prices above the norm. But it’s not just larger family homes that are commanding interest – the same is just as true for smaller one or two bedroom executive apartments in the centre of Guildford and Farnham.

The big question, of course, is whether this will continue. For the immediate future I think the answer is a definite yes. The imbalance between supply and demand will continue to fuel the market. Even if that were to change it’s unlikely things would slow down completely – there will continue to be a pool of highly motivated would-be tenants attracted by the lifestyle on offer in what remains a much sought-after part of the Home Counties.