Letting Agent in Solihull Bucks the National Trend

Partridge Homes has been featured in The Negotiator, one of the UK’s leading property industry publications, after recording a near-80% jump in new rental instructions during the first four months of 2026. The story has caught the attention of the wider industry because it runs directly counter to national data showing rental demand across the UK falling sharply over the same period.

The Numbers Behind the Story

Between January and April 2026, Partridge Homes arranged 129 new lettings — up from 72 during the same four months in 2025. That represents a 79% increase, and it is the highest four-month total the firm has recorded since it was founded in 2007.

The company, which operates offices in Solihull and Yardley and currently manages around 500 tenancies, has set itself a target of 365 new lettings across the full year — effectively one per day. Its previous annual record stood at 215, set in 2025. If the current rate holds, it will comfortably surpass that figure.

What Is Driving Growth?

Managing Director Charlotte Partridge puts the growth down to consistent service standards and a strong local market that is attracting tenants from further afield.

“In the areas we serve across Solihull, Birmingham and Warwickshire, we are seeing higher-than-ever demand from tenants looking for high-quality accommodation, including many who are moving to the West Midlands region for work.”

She is equally clear about the foundation on which the business is built:

“Our long-term commercial success is based on a bedrock of traditional family values and delivering on our promises. By keeping our landlords and our tenants happy, we build steady growth year on year.”

This approach has translated into recognition from the industry. Partridge Homes has won the British Property Awards for Best Letting Agents in Solihull four years running — a track record that has helped attract both tenants and landlords who want a reliable, experienced firm managing their properties.

Why Solihull Remains a Strong Rental Market

The Solihull rental market has long outperformed the wider West Midlands in terms of average rents and tenant quality. According to ONS data, the average monthly private rent in Solihull stood at £1,259 in April 2026 — compared to a West Midlands average of £962. Rents here have risen from approximately £996 per month in 2016, reflecting sustained long-term demand.

The reasons for that demand are structural:

• Major employers — Jaguar Land Rover, Birmingham Airport, and the NEC all sit within or adjacent to the borough, drawing a steady flow of professional tenants
• Transport links — direct rail services into Birmingham city centre make Solihull attractive to commuters
• HS2 Interchange — the new station under construction within the borough is expected to bring further economic activity and residential demand in the years ahead
• School catchments and green space — the town draws relocating families who want access to quality schools without sacrificing proximity to the city

Which Areas Offer the Best Opportunities?

For landlords focused on yield, areas such as Shirley, Olton, and Dickens Heath offer strong returns. For those seeking premium tenants and long-term capital growth, Knowle and Dorridge consistently perform well. Typical asking rents across the town currently range from around £900–£1,200 per month for a one-bedroom flat to £1,200–£1,450 for a two-bedroom property, with larger family homes commanding more.

Growing Through Partnerships

As well as organic growth, Partridge Homes has expanded its portfolio through formal partnerships with other local agents. Two Solihull estate agencies have already outsourced their lettings divisions to the firm entirely, and a third is currently in discussions to do the same. This kind of consolidation reflects a wider trend in the UK agency sector, where smaller firms without the specialist infrastructure to manage lettings compliantly are increasingly looking to hand that function to dedicated operators.

You can read more about this model in our earlier press feature in Letting Agent Today.

The National Picture: A Very Different Story

The backdrop to this growth makes it all the more striking. National data indicates that rental demand across the UK has fallen by around 20% over the past year. A significant factor is the Renters’ Rights Act, which received Royal Assent in October 2025 and has since come into force.

The Act represents the most significant overhaul of residential lettings legislation in England for a generation. Its key provisions include:

Some landlords have responded by leaving the market altogether, which has reduced available stock nationally. Charlotte Partridge acknowledges this context but says her firm is not seeing the same effect locally: “Despite rental demand in the UK falling by 20% in the past year, exacerbated by some landlords exiting the market due to the Renters’ Rights Act, which came into force this month, we are not seeing any evidence of this.”

For landlords who remain — or who are considering entering the market — working with an experienced local agent who understands the new legislative framework is more important than ever.

What This Means for Landlords in Solihull

The performance of Partridge Homes points to something that aggregate national data can obscure: rental markets are local. While some parts of the country are seeing falling demand and landlord exits, Solihull continues to draw tenants — and the shortage of quality stock means well-presented, well-managed properties are being let quickly.

For landlords already in the market, this is a good moment to review whether their current agent is delivering the results and compliance support they need. For those considering letting a property for the first time, Solihull’s fundamentals — employer base, transport, planned infrastructure investment — remain as strong as they have ever been.

If you are a landlord in Solihull or the surrounding area and would like to understand how Partridge Homes can help you let your property quickly and compliantly, get in touch with our team today.