Demand outstrips supply in equestrian property

Estate agency Halls has appealed for more country properties with land and outbuildings to satisfy growing demand for tenants with equestrian interests.

Demand is outstripping supply, the agency said, particularly for rental properties with land and stabling.

"Horse owners, in particular, are looking for rental properties that have land and stabling" Gemma Smart said.

"If you cannot afford to buy a property and you own a horse, it's very expensive to keep it on livery."

She reported a busy rental market for all types of property, with Halls attracting a growing number of quality potential tenants searching for large houses in North Shropshire.

"The size of deposit that lenders now demand from buyers is making it difficult and, in many cases, impossible for people to get on the home ownership ladder," she added.

"Halls' recently opened lettings office in Ellesmere offers tailor-made solutions to make letting and management of residential property as easy as possible for landlords, including a comprehensive database of prospective tenants matching properties to the right people."

Some homeowners are now opting to rent their properties as an alternative to selling them in the challenging economic climate, she added.