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Category: October

Growth location focus: Birmingham

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Growth location focus: Birmingham

The UK’s population is booming and one result of this is a severe shortage of housing in many areas. Coupled with a shift away from home ownership and towards private renting, particularly in urban areas, this has created a number of key rental market growth locations. Birmingham is a prime example.

“Birmingham has the ideal combination of factors to make it a buy to let property UK investment hotspot. The city’s population is growing rapidly and the rate of house building has lagged behind the level of demand for new homes for many years. At the same time, urban regeneration work in the city centre is creating a number of sought-after locations, with renters wanting to be close to the heart of the action.”

Jonathan Stephens, MD, Surrenden Invest
According to Surrenden Invest’s report on National Growth Locations, Birmingham’s ambitious, large-scale regeneration projects, such as the £1.5 billion Birmingham Smithfield redevelopment, are drawing renters to the city centre in their droves. Meanwhile, the city’s established economic credentials (centred around manufacturing, retail, tourism and financial services and, more recently, creative and digital/tech businesses) are creating plenty of employment opportunities.
The West Midlands as a whole has a bright outlook. Savills has projected compound growth of 19.3% over the five years to 2023 for the area’s house prices. Birmingham is the region’s shining star. In fact, it the city has outshone many other urban areas in the UK over the past few years, with prices there rising faster than in any other UK city since the UK’s EU referendum in 2016.
Birmingham’s population is growing hand in hand with its house prices. The city is known for its youthful population, with the Birmingham Economic Review 2017 naming it the youngest major city in Europe. Nearly 40% of the population are under the age of 25. There were some 1,147,300 residents in 2018, according to the Office for National Statistics. That figure is set to rise to 1,313,300 by 2041 – growth of 14.5%.

“Birmingham’s economic credentials are backed by a strong cultural offering. This is a city with a vast amount to offer its young population, which is why it is enjoying such sustained popularity, particularly in terms of city centre living. Successful housing developments are those which meet not just the needs but also the aspirations of those young people.”

Jonathan Stephens, MD, Surrenden Invest
No.76 Holloway Head is one such site. The development enjoys an outstanding city centre location, just a couple of hundred metres from Birmingham’s upscale Mailbox and within two minutes of Birmingham New Street Station, Grand Central and the Bullring – the ideal spot from which to enjoy a luxurious urban lifestyle. The one- and two-bedroom homes, with their spacious, elegant interiors, provide the perfect upscale residence for ambitious young professionals looking to make the most of life in prime central Birmingham.

For regular updates on investing in Birmingham and other UK regional cities, be sure to follow the Surrenden Invest team on social media.

Location focus: London Luton Airport Enterprise Zone

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Location focus: London Luton Airport Enterprise Zone

London Luton Airport is the fifth busiest airport in the UK, according to Inside Flyer, with more than 15 million passengers passing through its terminals. Luton is also the UK’s leading business aviation airport, and one of the top three business aviation airports in Europe. Leading businesses including Gulfstream, Harrods, Signature Flight Support and Landmark Aviation all have a significant presence there.

Luton’s airport is the cornerstone of the town’s economy, accounting for around 10% of overall employment in the area. In 2015 it was granted enterprise zone status by the government.

“Becoming an enterprise zone marked a new phase in London Luton Airport’s development, as well as in the development of the town itself. It signalled confidence in the unique capabilities that Luton has to offer and in its future potential.”

Jonathan Stephens, MD, Surrenden Invest
The enterprise zone incorporates three sites: Century Park and adjacent land; Airport Business Park and adjacent land and Stirling Place. The massive programme of work will include a £100 million road infrastructure scheme and the creation of a £200 million Mass Passenger Transport system that will connect the airport terminal directly with Luton Airport Parkway train station. Commercial offices and retail premises are also incorporated into the ambitious plans.
London Luton has a two-hour-drive catchment area that exceeds that of London Heathrow, at 23 million people. It contributes £1.3 billion annually to UK GDP and £648 million to the Treasury. Luton’s enterprise zone status means that the airport and its surrounding area can offer reduced business rates to new companies, as well as to existing businesses that are looking to grow and/or relocate.
The zone has been a catalyst for economic growth, drawing £1.5 billion of private investment into Luton. This has not focused solely on aviation but has created a wide range of opportunities – including in Luton’s property market, which has becoming increasingly attractive to buy to let property UK investors as the enterprising town has thrived.

“Luton is already an inviting investment prospect as a result of its affordability and excellent access to London. The influx of investment into the town, and the resulting regeneration of a number of local facilities – as well as the airport’s expansion – have made it an even more attractive proposition.”

Jonathan Stephens, MD, Surrenden Invest
London Luton Airport is currently undergoing the biggest expansion project in its history. The £160 million, three-year transformation will see passenger capacity increased to 18 million travellers by 2020 – an uplift of 50%. The airport’s redevelopment will see the addition of new boarding gates, a boarding pier and a host of retail outlets. The infrastructure enhancements will also include a new bus interchange, dual carriageway and multi-storey car park, making London Luton Airport even more accessible and traveller-friendly.

“This is a new era for LLA. We are the fastest-growing major London airport and are now in a position to play an increasingly important role in the UK’s aviation network.”

Nick Barton, CEO, London Luton Airport
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Perfectly positioned to take advantage of it all, the beautifully designed apartments of The Orion are just a 10-minute drive from London Luton Airport. The one- and two-bedroom homes deliver luxury living within an easy commute from London (Luton railway station is just minutes away, providing direct trains into St Pancras in as little as 22 minutes).
Priced from £172,900 and with 6% net yield per annum assured, The Orion’s apartments provide an excellent opportunity for investors to be part of Luton’s rosy future and enjoy all the advantages that come with the airport’s designation as an enterprise zone.

For regular updates on investing in Luton and other London commuter belt destinations, follow the Surrenden Invest team on social media.

Business snapshot – let’s take a look at the Birmingham commuter belt

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Business snapshot – let’s take a look at Dudley

The Metropolitan Borough of Dudley, to the North West of Birmingham, is a popular home for families looking to enjoy the perfect blend of suburban life and access to green space, while still enjoying all the economic opportunities that a thriving business environment can provide. The borough is home to over 100 business parks, making it a key player in the Black Country economy.

The power of a business park to support regeneration in an area is significant. Brierly Hill’s Waterfront Business Park is an excellent example. Home to over 20 companies, it offers a wide range of commercial properties to companies looking for well-designed and well-connected premises. Not only that, but those connections are shortly due to get a whole lot better, with Brierly Hill directly benefitting from the £449 million extension to the West Midlands Metro tram line.
Further regeneration work is also taking shape in the local area. Just two minutes from the site of the new Brierly Hill tram stop (due for completion by 2023) is Oak Court. The stylish apartments are largely one-bedroom homes, in line with current demand for rental homes in the local area. Designed to serve both the Dudley Borough and Birmingham rental markets, the apartments will offer spacious homes designed to meet the needs of professional tenants looking to enjoy a contemporary suburban lifestyle.

“Oak Court is a particularly interesting development as investors have a chance to be involved in Brierly Hill at a very significant phase in the town’s history. The tramline extension, which will provide a rapid connection to central Birmingham, is opening up regeneration opportunities like never before. Coupled with the Borough of Dudley’s focus on business and economic opportunities, this is a location that will be of important regional significance over the coming decade and beyond, particularly for those with an interest in buy to let property UK prospects.”

Jonathan Stephens, MD, Surrenden Invest
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Home to just shy of 320,000 people, the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley certainly punches above its weight when it comes to business opportunities. And with renters increasingly finding themselves priced out of central Birmingham, the borough is ideally placed to capitalise on the potential of its housing prospects as well.
Oak Court is ideally placed to benefit from all of these factors. It is situated within the heart of a £1 billion Enterprise Zone and is adjacent to the new £100 million Merry Hill Shopping Centre. Available from £82,000, homes at Oak Court offer rental yields of 7% with a full management programme in place. A short build time means that they will be ready for occupation from winter 2019.

To stay abreast of the latest developments in Brierly Hill and Dudley, follow the Surrenden Invest team on social media.

New Rental Market Snapshot keeps investors up to speed

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New Rental Market Snapshot keeps investors up to speed

Here at Surrenden Invest we do all we can to make our property investment company stand out from the crowd. Part of that includes sharing the knowledge and market insights that we have with our community of investors. We believe that knowledge is a powerful thing and is essential in choosing the right investment opportunities at the right time. That’s why we’ve launched our Rental Market Snapshot Guide

“Whether you want an overview of the UK rental market as a whole or a concise, detailed look at some of the country’s leading cities, the Rental Market Snapshot is the ideal investment companion. Making money from buy to let property UK opportunities is all about achieving strong yields as well as the potential for healthy capital growth. Surrenden Invest delivers a range of resources to support this.”

Jonathan Stephens, MD, Surrenden Invest
The data-driven Rental Market Snapshot considers not just current rental prices in each of the major cities it covers (Birmingham, Manchester, London, Liverpool and Newcastle) but also a range of other market performance metrics. These include average tenancy lengths and void periods, as well as factors such as what proportion of renters end their tenancies early. All of these can impact on the rate of yield that buy to let investors can expect.
Wider market drivers such as the kind of properties that renters are seeking are also considered, as well as the growing relevance of the private rented sector as a whole.

“The UK rental market is a huge topic. What we’ve done with the Rental Market Snapshot is to capture the essence of the market as it stands today, while also exploring the historical factors that have led us to that point. We’ve looked forward was well as back, which is particularly important for investors who are currently looking at a range of cities for their next investment.”

Jonathan Stephens, MD, Surrenden Invest
Birmingham is one of the most exciting cities in the UK right now when it comes to buy to let investment. Surrenden Invest has been highly active there in recent years. Its latest – and most impressive – Birmingham development is No. 76 Holloway Head. The 34 luxurious apartments enjoy an outstanding B1 location, just two minutes from the Bullring, Grand Central and New Street Station. The swanky Mailbox retail destination, meanwhile, is almost on the doorstep. This ultra-prime location has been chosen in order to capitalise on the demand for true inner city living that’s at the heart of the action – one of the trends noted in the Rental Market Snapshot.

For regular updates on investing in the UK buy to let market, be sure to follow the Surrenden Invest team on social media.

Manchester voted world’s 15th best city

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Manchester voted world’s 15th best city

Picture the world’s greatest cities and what springs to mind first? London? Paris? Hong Kong? New York? Tokyo? Well, according to the 34,000 city dwellers interviewed by Time Out, Manchester now ranks up there with the best. The city came in 15th in Time Out’s list of the 48 best cities on the planet.

While New York, Melbourne, Chicago and London topped the list (in that order), Manchester proudly took the 15th spot, beating the likes of Buenos Aires and Barcelona thanks to its outstanding cultural attractions and “legendary (and growing) bar and club scene.”

“Manchester is an incredible city that is going from strength to strength. In recent years we’ve seen it competing on the global stage with some of the largest cities in the world. In 2018, IBM flagged it up as being in the top 10 cities on the planet for attracting foreign direct investment. Now, Time Out has recognised just how much Manchester has to offer those who live here.”

Jonathan Stephens, MD, Surrenden Invest
While Manchester’s nightlife was one of the aspects highlighted, the city’s art galleries, museums, sporting prowess, gastronomic scene and retail offering all came into play in the ranking.
For those with a focus on property investment UK opportunities, Manchester has even more to offer. The city is an established haven for property investors looking for solid yields and plenty of potential for capital growth. According to Hometrack, it is one of only two cities to have achieved price growth of 17% since the Brexit referendum in June 2016 (the other being Leicester).
Developments such as Middlewood Plaza are making it easy for investors to tap into this lucrative buy to let market. Just 10 minutes from the city centre, in the Middlewood Locks regeneration corridor, the stylish apartments, duplexes and townhouses are ideally positioned for access to both Manchester city centre and the best that Salford has to offer (Salford Central is, in fact, just 750m from Middlewood Plaza).
Boasting a private roof terrace, secure underground parking, smart technology and luxury furniture packs, with investment from £153,000, Middlewood Plaza is attracting interest from the wider global investment community, as well as from investors within the UK.

“Manchester is a city that welcomes investors with open arms. Its housing market has performed consistently well in recent years, upstaging other regional cities around the UK. The future also looks bright for Manchester’s property market, with Savills projecting compound growth of 21.6% for the North West over the coming five years – higher than that of any other UK region.”

Jonathan Stephens, MD, Surrenden Invest

To keep up to date with the latest news on investing in Manchester and other UK regional cities, connect with the Surrenden Invest team on social media.

Liverpool to London in just 85 minutes

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Liverpool to London in just 85 minutes

The omission of Liverpool from the original plans for the HS2 high speed rail network was a major blow to the city. However, Liverpudlians didn’t give up on the potential for their home to benefit from the new network. Instead, they focused on ways to turn it to their advantage.

The Linking Liverpool campaign called for a high speed rail link between Liverpool and Manchester, effectively allowing Liverpudlians to tap into the HS2 network via the link. Transport for the North, whose remit includes the improvement of transport across the North of England, has backed the plan as part of its £70 billion, 30-year northern transport plan.

“It makes absolute sense that as many northern cities as possible should benefit from HS2, so the proposed Northern Powerhouse Rail link between Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds is a key project for the area. It’s also one that has the potential to impact on property prices and yields, for those looking for buy to let property UK opportunities in the right locations.”

Jonathan Stephens, MD, Surrenden Invest
The L3 postcode district is one such location. A sought after area of central Liverpool, it provides easy access to the best that the city has to offer, both in employment terms and for entertainment purposes. The area is home to The Tannery – a collection of elegant new homes in a striking building that reflects the city’s industrial past, paying homage to the leather works that formerly occupied the site and from which the new building takes its name. The buy to let apartments already hold strong appeal to local professionals, boasting a communal courtyard, roof garden and concierge service.
Adding a reduced Liverpool to London journey time of around 85 minutes into the mix will certainly give the development a boost – along with the wider economic prospects of Liverpool city centre. The Liverpool to Manchester leg of the journey will take approximately 22 minutes if the Northern Powerhouse Rail link goes ahead as planned. The onward journey from Manchester to London would then take around one hour and 25 minutes on the HS2 network.

“Keeping abreast of local transport and regeneration initiatives is an important part of identifying current and future buy to let opportunities that have the potential to positively impact investors. Coupled with the fact that northern cities are outstripping the UK average when it comes to property price growth, Liverpool has an incredibly strong investment case right now.”

Jonathan Stephens, MD, Surrenden Invest

To keep track of the latest developments impacting the buy to let sector in Liverpool and other UK regional cities, follow Surrenden Invest on social media.

Northern cities stand out from the crowd

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Northern cities stand out from the crowd

Property investment companies with a nose for good opportunities have been focusing on the potential of the North England for some time. Cities such as Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle have much to offer those looking to profit from property. Now, JLL’s latest Northern England Residential Forecasts report has confirmed the wisdom of looking to the North.

“In recent years Northern England’s major cities have established themselves as stand out performers in terms of residential investment and development.”

JLL Northern England Residential Forecasts, February 2019
The key to the success of property investments in these northern cities is the imbalance between the increased demand for centrally located homes and the supply thereof. The JLL report urges investors to ‘find the gap’ when it comes to these markets, which is precisely where property investment companies come in.

“The vast size of cities such as Liverpool, Newcastle and Manchester means that no two investment opportunities are equal. A few hundred metres can make all the difference when it comes to the yield that a property can deliver. That’s why it’s so important for investors to work with a property company with local knowledge when they’re seeking buy to let property UK opportunities.”

Jonathan Stephens, MD, Surrenden Invest
The North is outstripping the national average considerably when it comes to house prices. UK house prices rose by an average of 2.7% in the year to Q3 2018, according to JLL, while in the North West that figure stood at 4.9%. Yorkshire and The Humber saw growth of 4.4%.
Both the North West and Yorkshire and The Humber offer an excellent entry point for investors, thanks to their average home values being below the national average. In the North West, the average home costs £165,000, while in Yorkshire it costs £164,000. The average UK home price is £231,000 (all figures as at Q3 2018).
The Tannery in Liverpool is as shining example of why investment in the right northern hotspots is so attractive. The stylish homes enjoy a superb central location, while investment starts from just £85,000, with net yields of 6%. Premium specifications and a concierge service mean that the homes hold strong appeal to professional tenants, while the provision of luxury furniture packs makes life easier for tenants and investors alike.
JLL’s forecasts for Liverpool project a continuation of the city’s success over the year ahead. The firm believes the city will achieve 2.4% growth in new development prices, against a UK average of 2.2%, and an increase of 3.0% in city centre rents (UK average: 2.4%). All at a time when buy to let landlords are enjoying greater returns.

“By delivering specialist, localised knowledge about the cities in which it offers investments, Surrenden Invest will remain at the forefront of the UK buy to let sector over the years ahead, finding the gaps that deliver the best results for all those interested in investing in UK buy to let opportunities.”

Jonathan Stephens, MD, Surrenden Invest

For regular updates on investing in northern cities such as Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle, be sure to follow the Surrenden Invest team on social media.

How long will the London housing market pause for thought?

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How long will the London housing market pause for thought?

There are a number of indicators that the pre-Brexit, pent up buyer demand for London property is shortly to be unleashed. Chestertons’ Winter 2018/19 London Residential Property Market Report asserts that the “bottom of the market may be in sight,” while the rate of decline in the capital’s sales prices have slowed. Indeed, demand at the prime end of the market bounced back during the latter half of 2018.

“We’ve seen many buyers – both owner-occupiers and investors – taking a ‘wait and see’ approach in London as the Brexit deadline of 29 March approached. However, the delaying of that date to 12 April – and likely beyond – is testing purchasers’ patience. Add in the prospect of prices in London bottoming out and we could see a swift and decisive rise in transactions over the coming weeks and months.”

Jonathan Stephens, MD, Surrenden Invest
Prices in London fell during 2017 and again during 2018. Given the ongoing political impact of Brexit on sterling, this has made for some interesting opportunities for overseas investors. With indications that the market is bottoming out, many investors will now be looking to snap up properties at bargain (for London) prices while they have the chance.
At the same time, it’s likely that many of those waiting to buy property for their own use will also act in the coming weeks and months. As Brexit looks increasingly likely to drag on, many would-be purchasers may be prompted to act before London’s prices begin to rise too steeply again. As such, 2019 – or at least the latter half of it – could turn out to be a good year for property in and around the capital.

“Many property investment companies are looking closely at London again right now, as the market correction that has taken place over the past couple of years makes property ownership in the capital more attractive, particularly given the recent upward movement in rents and therefore yields. As such, London and the commuter belt certainly bear watching over the rest of this year.”

Jonathan Stephens, MD, Surrenden Invest
London’s property market is, of course, vast, as is the commuter belt that surrounds the city. Two areas likely to be of particular interest in the near future are Gerrards Cross and Reading, both of which offer a fast, direct commute into central London, as well as a good quality of life for the whole family. If the predictions of the market bottoming out and pent-up demand being unleased play out, it is likely that interest in both of these areas will spike significantly.

For regular updates on investing in London and other key UK cities, be sure to follow the Surrenden Invest team on social media.

Housing market latest – wage growth enhances buyer affordability

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Housing market latest – wage growth enhances buyer affordability

Wage growth in the UK is outstripping house price growth at its fastest rate since 2011, enhancing buyer affordability. This is contributing to both mortgage approvals and housing transactions holding up well, despite the ongoing political uncertainty related to Brexit. Indeed, the February 2019 Zoopla/Hometrack UK Cities House Price Index states that, “Data on transactions remains resilient with no obvious Brexit impact at a national level.”

According to the report, there was no material drop in mortgage approval activity or transaction volumes during the latter half of 2018, when compared with the five-year average. Furthermore, HMRC figures show that transaction volumes actually increased slightly during the first two months of 2019.

“The latest figures are further evidence of the UK housing market’s resilience in the face of the Brexit debacle. Improving buyer affordability enhances that resilience even more, with strong transaction levels supporting a buoyant market for both owner occupiers and investors.”

Jonathan Stephens, MD, Surrenden Invest
Annual wage growth stands at 3.4% according to Rightmove’s latest House Price Index. That compares to an average annual rate of house price growth of 2.0%.
Annual wage growth stands at 3.4% according to Rightmove’s latest House Price Index. That compares to an average annual rate of house price growth of 2.0%. Not only that, but the National Living Wage in the UK has just risen by 4.9%. As of 1 April 2019, the national minimum wage rose from £7.83 per hour to £8.21 for those aged 25+. Workers aged 21-24 also saw an increase, from £7.38 per hour to £7.70, while those aged 18-20 saw a rise from £5.90 to £6.15.
The impact of this can best be seen at a local level. In three out of four southern regions, for example, Rightmove reports that new sellers’ asking prices are cheaper than they were a year ago, giving buyers a distinct advantage when considered in light of their increased purchasing power.
Further north, many regional cities have been outstripping the price growth of their southern counterparts over the past three years, thanks to rising employment levels, as well as enhanced affordability. Two cities – Leicester and Manchester – have even achieved price growth of 17% since the Brexit vote, creating fantastic capital growth for those who timed their purchases right around the time of the referendum.
Manchester remains high on many investors’ priority list – and for good reason. The city is home to an impressive array of redevelopment projects, the largest of which is the NOMA development. The 20-acre, mixed use site is being regenerated at a cost of £800 million, making it the largest development project in North West England, eclipsing even MediaCityUK (also in Manchester). Such vast developments bring a wealth of opportunities, both for those who live in the city and for those looking to invest there.
Just 300 metres from NOMA, Ancoats Gardens provides an exciting residential property investment UK opportunity, offering net yields of 6.0%. Available from £229,714 and already under construction, the one, two and three-bedroom apartments offer bright, spacious homes backed by cutting edge facilities in a top location. Residents will benefit from an on-site coffee lounge for relaxing or working from home, a large, private gym that’s spread across two levels and a truly stunning rooftop garden providing views across the city.

To find out more about investing in one of England’s best-performing regional cities, follow the Surrenden Invest team on social media.

London property market snapshot – buyers hold their breath

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London property market snapshot – buyers hold their breath

It seems that prime central London property buyers are collectively pausing as they wait to see what the future holds in store. Figures from the LonRes research firm show a 14% drop in the number of prime housing transactions in the capital in 2018 compared to 2017. The steep fall means that transactions in prime London are now at their lowest level since 2008.

“Property buyers are holding their breath to see how Brexit unfolds, at least so far as central London is concerned. However, London is a vast city and not all areas are experiencing the same dip in transaction levels. With choice outlying areas offering good value for money, there are still benefits to buying property in London at the moment, despite the UK’s political upheaval.”

Jonathan Stephens, MD, Surrenden Invest
Indeed, Foxtons reports that one result of the drop in transactions (and therefore new rental instructions) is that demand for private rented homes is outstripping supply at record levels, with nearly nine registered tenants for every new rental property.
The pace at which London house prices have outstripped salaries also comes into play, with the average deposit now 1.3 times higher than the average salary. Savills calculates that the average Zone 1 property costs £1.4 million. To secure a 75% mortgage, the buyer would need a household income of £247,484 per annum, along with a cash deposit in the region of £371,227. All of which explains why many of those who live in central London rent their homes instead of buying them.
Further out, however, London becomes much more affordable. The average property price in Zone 5 is £452,186, meaning that an annual salary of £75,364 and a deposit of £113,046 would be sufficient to fund the purchase of a home.
A number of commuter towns around the capital offer even better value for money, while direct rail connections make travelling into London perfectly achievable on a daily basis. It is areas such as these that are still generating a high level of interest from investors, according to the Surrenden Invest team.

“The commuter belt is big business right now. Buy to let property UK opportunities are alive and well in many parts of the capital and investors are continuing to seek out below market valuation properties that carry strong potential for capital growth. The high level of demand from renters means that the market still has much to offer to buyers who are careful about the locations in which they invest.”

Jonathan Stephens, MD, Surrenden Invest

To find out more about investing in and around London, as well as in other UK regional cities, follow the Surrenden Invest team on social media.