Battle for rental properties in January

Thousands of Danes have just started the search for a new rental property. This makes January one of the busiest months for the country´s landlords. Tenants want more space and lower rents, shows figures from Boligportal.dk.

If you are looking for a rental property you are far from alone. January is one of the months in which most Danes are searching for new rental properties. The first week of January over 58 percent more house-hunters were searching properties compared to the first week of December. That shows figures from Boligportal.dk; the country's largest Internet site for rental properties

- Just now house-hunters fight for the most attractive rental properties. January is one of the busiest months on the Danish housing market and is only surpassed by August, where many young people leave home to start new studies, says Henrik Loevig, Managing Director of Boligportal.dk

Love is in the air at winter time

Boligportal.dk has asked 676 house-hunters why they search for rental properties just now. The survey reveals that the majority, 27.7 percent that is, are looking for properties because they need more space, while 18.3 percent say they want a lower rent.


The survey also reveals that the number of couples, who are moving in together, is bigger than the number of those who are moving apart. According to Henrik Løvig this kills the old real estate myth that the Christmas parties in December break up couples and therefore lead to the great activity on the housing market in January.

- We can see that every sixth house-hunter on Boligportal.dk seeks a new property, because he or she wishes to live with the girl/boyfriend. By contrast, only one out of eighth seeks a new place owing to separation, says Henrik Loevig


The myth of adultery lives on

Hans Kristensen, Director of the center for "Bolig og Velfærd" at the University of Copenhagen, is well aware of the myth that Christmas parties lead to increased activity on the housing market in January. However he is not entirely convinced that Boligportal.dk´s survey disproves the myth.

- Although the myth is a loose theory there may be something about the old real estate myth. Boligportal.dk´s figures actually show that something happens to relationships in January, says Hans Kristensen.

However, he also gives a more down-to-earth offer on the increase in the number of house-hunters in January

- It is possible that many people simply defer the decision to move, to the new year. December is quite short because of holidays and general Christmas rush, and people might push decisions in December to January because they psychologically want a fresh start in the new year, he says.