Best Places to Invest in UK Property 2022 | Buy to Let Market Overview
Over the past five years, the UK government has introduced several measures that have impacted the buy to let market, including reduced tax relief available to property investors and second-home buyers. On the surface, conditions like these might have made buy to let property more complicated for some, however the fundamentals of the market – such as demand for rental property – remained strong.
According to the Office for National Statistics, the number of households in the Private Rented Sector (PRS) increased from 2.8 million in 2007 to 4.5 million today. And with projections suggesting that 1.2 million new households will be created over the next five years, demand for PRS property is set to continue to grow.
To help investors capitalise on the rising demand for rental property, Surrenden Invest will outline the best places to invest in UK property in 2022 in this feature, by highlighting where is expected to provide investors with the best rental yields and the strongest capital growth potential.
Building on a positive 2021
Despite the pandemic, overall, 2021 proved an extremely positive year for property investors, with figures published throughout the year showing rising rental yields and steady house price growth.
As far as values are concerned, the latest UK House Price Index for August 2021(released in October) showed that average asking prices of sales agreed in England were 3.2% higher in August than in July 2021. Over the course of the year, prices increased by 9.8% and the average property value reached £280,921.
Savills also published separate data predicting UK house price growth climb by an average of 3.5% in 2022, with mainstream UK house prices expected to rise 13.1% by 2026.
Since the country reopened, the rebound in housing market activity is an encouraging trend, particularly for investors looking for signs that UK property will continue to provide opportunities for capital gains in the coming years. 2021 was also an excellent year for rental properties, with demand rising across the UK – especially since the country started to open up following the various lockdown measures introduced by the government.
Currently, rental prices in the UK average £1,061 per calendar month (pcm), excluding London from the equation, and the average rent is £891pcm. However, despite the pandemic, rental prices have climbed by 7.5% across the UK as a whole over the last 12-months.
Those considering investing in UK property should certainly see the last year as a triumph for the property market. Even in the face of challenging economic conditions, the property sector continues to show its resilience and offers investors an excellent chance of achieving good returns in the coming years.
But where should investors buy to achieve the best rental returns in 2022?
3.20%
Average asking prices of sales agreed in England were 3.2% higher in August than in July 2021
£280,921
Over the course of the year, prices increased by 9.8% and the average property value reached £280,921
£1,061
Rental prices in the UK average £1,061 per calendar month (pcm) excluding London
7.5%+
Despite the pandemic, rental prices have climbed by 7.5% across the UK as a whole over the last 12-months
Best UK buy to let areas for 2022
To help property investors make an informed decision, Surrenden Invest has outlined the best buy to let areas for 2022. As mentioned earlier in this feature, when it comes to capital growth potential, the UK average in 2022 stands at 3.5%, with the growth rate in London lagging behind at just 2%.
According to Savills, the north-south divide will continue to close over the next five years, seeing house price growth excel across the North of England and the Midlands, whereas values in the South and South East will rise – albeit at a slower pace.
The potential for price growth looks particularly positive for Northern Powerhouse cities like Manchester and Liverpool. The wider North West region is expected to see values climb by 4.5% in 2022 and by 18.8% in the five years 2026. Interestingly, Savills expects the same rate of growth across Yorkshire and the Humber.
Location |
2022 |
2022-2026
|
North West |
4.5% |
18.8% |
Yorkshire & the Humber |
4.5% |
18.8% |
North East |
4% |
17.6% |
East Midlands |
4% |
15.9% |
West Midlands |
4% |
15.9% |
South West |
3.5% |
13.1% |
South East |
3% |
10.4% |
East of England |
3% |
10.4% |
London |
2% |
5.6% |
UK |
3.5% |
13.1% |
Source: Savills Research. |
Investors looking towards regional property hotspots including Birmingham, Leeds, and Newcastle can also expect to secure higher than average returns across 2022 and over the next five years, with values in the North East expected to increase 17.6% by 2026 and 15.9% in the West Midlands. When compared to the UK average of 13.1%, it is clear that regional property hotspots are most likely to deliver property investors with the best capital gains potential.
Best rental yields
Throughout 2021, the UK’s best buy to let areas were regional cities. Rightmove cited the effects of ”boomerang” tenants – those going back to cities following the easing of lockdown restrictions – attributing the rising rental costs.
A report from Rightmove revealed that demand for rental accommodation helped push rental growth in some regions to double-digit increases year-on-year, with rents climbing by 10.3% in the East Midlands and by 10% North West.
For buy to let investors, positive rental growth can be seen across regional rental hotspots, with average rents climbing by 8.4% in the East of England, 8% in Yorkshire and the Humber, and 6.9% in the West Midlands. When compared to London, where rents increased by 2.7% year on year, regional property investments are most likely to deliver the most robust return on investment over the coming years.
When it comes to demand, Birmingham and the West Midlands saw the highest tenant interest, with the amount of new prospective renters reaching a record high in September, according to Propertymark.
Buyers looking towards future demand should consider tenants affordability. With regional cities already attracting higher levels of students and young professionals than London, prime locations with younger populations, including Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and Birmingham, offer strong rental yield growth over the next five years.
10.3%
Rents climbing by 10.3% in the East Midlands and by 10% North West.
16.5%
Reports expect rental costs to rise 16.5% by 2024 in Manchester, 15.9% in Birmingham, 14.8% in Liverpool, and 14.2% in Leeds.
8.4%
Positive rental growth can be seen across regional rental hotspots, with average rents climbing by 8.4% in the East of England