What a year 2026 has become.
Despite the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act in May and the additional considerations it has brought for landlords, the North East lettings market continues to demonstrate resilience, with new landlords entering the marketplace and demand remaining strong across a broad range of property types and locations.
For us, it really is business as usual.
New properties continue to arrive on a weekly basis, with successful lets being achieved week after week across Newcastle, Northumberland and the surrounding areas.
What is particularly interesting is the breadth of demand we are seeing. From city centre apartments and suburban family homes to rural retreats and coastal properties, tenants are increasingly looking for homes that suit their individual lifestyles and the North East has an exceptional range of options to offer.
From City Living to the Northumberland Countryside
One of the most noticeable trends this year has been continued interest in semi-rural and rural locations.
For many families, the appeal is clear: the opportunity to enjoy a more peaceful, countryside lifestyle while remaining within easy reach of market towns, major road networks and the region’s city centres.
A recent example was a stunning six bedroom detached stone house in Longframlington, which we successfully let for £2,900 pcm.
Further west, beyond Rothbury, we also let a charming two bedroom cottage with beautiful walled gardens for £1,150 pcm – demonstrating that demand extends across a wide range of property types and rental values.
Another example of country living is in Matfen, where we saw a successful let on a three bedroom detached cottage with generous outside space to include a private gated entrance and double garage. Let at £1,700 pcm.
Alnwick Continues to Attract
The historic market town of Alnwick remains a popular choice for both families and those looking to downsize.
Its combination of heritage, amenities and proximity to the Northumberland coastline continues to make it an attractive lifestyle choice. And, of course, with one of the most spectacular coastlines in the country right on our doorstep, it is not difficult to understand the appeal.
At Peters Mill, we successfully let a three bedroom detached new build, complete with generous gardens and offered unfurnished, for £1,350 pcm.
In central Alnwick, we also let a two bedroom apartment at Hotspur Court, unfurnished, for £700 pcm.
Strong Demand Across Gosforth
Moving back towards Newcastle, the popular suburb of Gosforth continues to perform particularly well, with strong demand for high quality family homes.
We recently let a modern four bedroom detached property, featuring high end fixtures and fittings together with integrated home protection technology, for £3,250 pcm.
Another Gosforth success came on Roseworth Crescent, where a beautifully presented four bedroom home with a gated entrance achieved £3,000 pcm.
Grove Park Crescent has also proved to be a popular rental stay where we saw a townhouse, with four-bedrooms and unfurnished, let at £2,200 pcm.
These properties demonstrate the continued appetite for premium family homes in established Newcastle suburbs.
A Fantastic Result in Whickham
One of our standout successes this year came through close collaboration with our New Homes department on a small new build development in Whickham.
Of the seven townhouses originally brought to the sales market, we successfully let five of them, with rents in the region of £1,850 pcm.
It was a fantastic result and one that was particularly well received by the developer.
This type of collaboration between our sales and lettings teams continues to provide valuable opportunities for developers and landlords alike, while giving tenants access to high quality new build homes within sought-after locations.
Coastal Properties Remain Highly Sought After
The North East’s coastal market continues to attract significant interest.
Following our success selling apartments at The Smokehouses in North Shields, we were delighted to also secure the successful letting of a four bedroom townhouse on The Plateau.
Offered unfurnished and benefiting from stunning sea views, the property achieved £1,900 pcm.
The continued demand for coastal living is another reflection of the changing priorities of tenants, with lifestyle, location and quality of accommodation playing an increasingly important role in rental decisions.
Looking Ahead
If 2026 has shown us anything so far, it is that the North East lettings market remains diverse, active and full of opportunity.
From Newcastle city centre apartments and premium homes in Gosforth, through to rural cottages, new build developments and coastal properties, we are continuing to see strong demand across the region.
For landlords, understanding where that demand exists, and how to position a property correctly within the market, remains more important than ever.
With new instructions continuing to arrive each week and successful lets being achieved across the region, we are looking forward to seeing what the remainder of 2026 brings.
If you have a property you wish to rent out or you’re a tenant looking for your next home, please do not hesitate to contact me on 0191 223 3510 or email gail.mclean@sandersonyoung.co.uk.
Gail McLean
Regional Lettings Manager
SANDERSON YOUNG