Homes in rural Cornwall and Pembrokeshire are among the most viewed online to let on property website Zoopla as would-be renters appear to be shifting focus to seaside locations.
Coastal properties have grown in popularity to search for, with those having good access to a beach featuring high on the list.
It reflects the ‘race for space’ amid the pandemic as people seek to prioritise areas near open spaces and seaside living, and is likely driven by flexible working, with some office jobs being performed from home.
Coastal areas prove popular with tenants: The most popular popular to rent on Zoopla is in the town of St Ives in Cornwall
The rental property at the top of the list is in the town of St Ives in Cornwall, which is known for its surf beaches and art scene.
The one-bedroom flat has use of a communal garden and costs £575 a month via Lanhams letting agents.
The snapshot of the most popular rental homes was taken on Thursday 15 July. The St Ives rental has since been removed from Zoopla, suggesting it may have already been rented.
For those looking for more indoor space, the list also includes a six-bedroom detached house to rent in Keith, North East Scotland. The property is available to rent for £975 per month via Challenge.
Prices for the most popular rentals range from £405 a month for a three-bedroom flat to £975 a month for larger properties – one in Scotland and the other in Pembrokeshire.
Tom Parker, of Zoopla, said: ‘A wide range of rental properties have caught the eye of homehunters, with everything from a four-bedroom family home in Montrose Scotland to a studio for rent in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, featuring in the most popular rentals.
‘Properties in coastal areas including Cornwall and Eastbourne also feature, highlighting the popularity of these locations.’
The top 10 most viewed rental homes
1. One-bed flat, St Ives, Cornwall, £575 a month
The most viewed property to rent on Zoopla is a one-bedroom flat in St Ives in Cornwall.
The trendy spot is known for its surf beaches and art scene – including being the home of the St Ives Tate art gallery, making it an appealing location to escape from urban areas.
Only last Thursday, the property was available to rent via Lanhams letting agents for £575 a month to rent.
However, the listing has since been removed, suggesting it may have already been rented.
The most viewed property to rent on Zoopla is this one-bedroom flat in St Ives in Cornwall
2. Three-bed flat, Kiletty, Pembrokeshire, £405 a month
The second most popular property on Zoopla is in the Welsh village of Kiletty in Pembrokeshire.
The three-bedroom flat has its own private entrance and countryside views, with cost of the water rates included.
The property is available to rent for £450 per month via letting agents Cleddau Properties.
The second most popular rental property is this home in the Welsh village of Kiletty in Pembrokeshire
3. Six-bed house, Keith, Scotland, £975 a month
This six-bedroom house to rent is in the small town of Keith, in North East Scotland.
It is in the heart of the region of Speyside – known for its salmon fishing and Whisky trail – and it is close to Cairngorms National Park.
The property can be rented via letting agents Challenge for £975 a month.
This six-bedroom house to rent is in the small town of Keith, in the north east Scotland
The rental home is in the heart of the region of Speyside, and close Cairngorms National Park
4. Three-bed house, Hayle, Cornwall, £875 a month
Also in Cornwall is this three-bedroom house to rent for £875 a month via letting agents RDR Estates.
The terrace property is in the port town of Hayle, seven miles North East of Penzance.
This three-bedroom terrace house in Hayle, Cornwall, is available to rent for £875 a month
The property is seven miles north east of Penzance and includes a this kitchen with space for appliances
5. Two-bed house, Camborne, Cornwall, £775 a month
Cornwall continues to dominate the list of most viewed rental properties in Britain with this terrace cottage in Camborne.
The property has two bedrooms and a garden that extends to 100 feet. It can be rented via letting agents Bradleys Estate for £775 a month.
The list of most viewed rental properties in Britain includes this terrace cottage in Camborne
Renting with open space: The cottage boasts a large garden extending to around 100 feet
The two-bedroom cottage is available to rent via letting agents Bradleys Estate for £775 a month
6. Three-bed house, West Derby, Liverpool, £800 a month
This detached house in West Derby in Liverpool is available to rent for £800 a month via letting agents Belvoir.
The property is in a cul-de-sac, and comes with three bedrooms and a large garden.
This detached house in West Derby in Liverpool is available to rent for £800 a month
The modern house has plenty of parking space and boast three spacious bedrooms
The house is in a cul-de-sac and includes a private garden with a fenced lawn area
7. Studio, St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, £515 a month
Also on the coast is this studio flat in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, which is available to rent for £515 per month via letting agents Hunters.
In its marketing literature, the agent said: ‘This New York style studio apartment comes with period detail.
‘It has been meticulously restored, to the highest standard, with a sleeping loft combining contemporary influences and period detail.’
This studio flat in St Leonards-on-Sea , East Sussex, has a separate bathroom
The compact studio has a kitchen, space for a double bed and plenty of storage
8. Two-bed house, Eastbourne, £825 a month
Another coastal property that features in the list is this two-bedroom home in Eastbourne.
It is within walking distance of the seafront, and is available to rent for £825 a month via letting agents Property Rentals.
Another coastal property that features in the list is this two-bedroom home in Eastbourne
The Eastbourne property has a kitchen with white cabinets and a wood-effect worktop
9. Four-bed bungalow, Montrose, Scotland, £975 a month
This four-bedroom bungalow in Montrose in Scotland is available to rent for £975 a month.
The property has a conservatory and views of the countryside and the sea. FindMyBuyer is the letting agent handling the rental.
This four-bedroom bungalow in Montrose in Scotland is available to rent for £975 a month
The Montrose home has plenty of outdoor space, including a garden for growing vegetables
10. Two-bed house, Swansea, Wales, £600 a month
The final property on the list is a two-bedroom house in Swansea, which can be rented for £600 a month via Fresh letting agents.
The semi-detached property is close to several primary schools and a hospital.
This two-bedroom house in Swansea can be rented for £600 a month via Fresh letting agents
The rental property in Swansea has a modern kitchen with a black worktop and flooring