A KEIGHLEY estate agent says demand from would-be tenants seeking to rent homes has soared.

Dacre, Son & Hartley says the number of houses it let doubled during the first fortnight of this month, compared to the same period last year.

As a result, the Keighley office – which reopened on May 18 as part of Government plans to restart the housing market – together with the company’s other branches, are appealing for potential landlords to come forward with new rental stock to help meet demand.

Emma Kerrywood – who heads-up Dacre, Son & Hartley’s lettings division – said: “The Government was particularly keen to bring the housing market out of lockdown and our lettings division has been extremely busy ever since.

“There was a significant level of pent-up demand for good-quality rental property and several weeks on, we still have high numbers of tenants registered with us who are looking for homes to rent.

“Some have suffered relationship break-ups and others are moving for work reasons, largely caused by the Covid-19 pandemic – and in addition there’s been the usual tenant demand we see.

“As a result, we are now in need of new rental stock.”