Market Analysis

The highest yielding areas for buy-to-let property in the UK

Published by TEO Overseas Property on 20 September 2023
RegionAverage gross yieldAverage monthly rentAverage price of a buy-to-let property
North East7.2%£649£109,000
Scotland7.1%£748£127,000
North West6.3%£795£151,000
Northern Ireland6.2%£744£143,500
Yorkshire and the Humber6.1%£758£150,000
Wales6.0%£814£163,500
West Midlands5.6%£852£182,500
East Midlands5.5%£816£178,000
South West5.0%£1,016£242,500
East of England5.0%£1,111£266,500
South East5.0%£1,254£301,000
London4.7%£2,053£522,000

Zoopla Rental Market Report for September 2023 (data to July 2023)

The 10 highest yielding rental cities in the UK

When it comes to cities, you’re generally better off focusing your search in the North of England if you’re after a high yield.

In Sunderland, the average rental property costs a little over £80,000, meaning a high 8.39% gross yield with a £582 rental rate.

Burnley, Liverpool and Blackburn are top investor cities in the North East while Dundee and Glasgow are buy-to-let hotspots in Scotland.

CityAverage gross yield yieldAverage monthly rentAverage price of a buy-to-let property
Sunderland8.39%£582£83,000
Dundee7.85%£768£117,500
Burnley7.73%£530£82,000
Glasgow7.73%£898£139,500
Middlesbrough7.53%£578£92,000
Liverpool7.21%£764£127,000
Blackburn7.12%£622£105,000
Hull7.03%£578£98,500
Grimsby6.92%£579£100,500
Newcastle6.89%£763£133,000

Zoopla Rental Market Report, September 2023 (data to July 2023)

The highest yielding areas in each region of the UK

Looking for a buy-to-let property near where you live? It can be useful as you know the local area and can work closely with a local letting agent.

So you might want to consider which parts of your region offer the greatest rental yield. Here are the top 3 local authorities for yields in each UK region.

East Midlands

  • Nottingham - 6.8% gross rental yield

  • Boston - 6.34% gross rental yield

  • Mansfield - 6.36% gross rental yield

East of England

  • Great Yarmouth - 5.93% gross rental yield

  • Peterborough - 5.93% gross rental yield

  • Fenland - 5.92% gross rental yield

London

  • Barking and Dagenham - 5.81% gross rental yield

  • Newham - 5.56% gross rental yield

  • Bexley - 5.38% gross rental yield

North East

  • Sunderland - 8.39% gross rental yield

  • Middlesbrough - 8.16% gross rental yield

  • Hartlepool - 8.01% gross rental yield

North West

  • Burnley - 8.11% gross rental yield

  • Barrow-in-Furness - 7.43% gross rental yield

  • Liverpool - 7.32% gross rental yield

Scotland

  • West Dunbartonshire - 9.05% gross rental yield

  • Renfrewshire - 8.96% gross rental yield

  • East Ayrshire - 8.58% gross rental yield

South East

  • Southampton - 6.16% gross rental yield

  • Portsmouth - 6.05% gross rental yield

  • Gosport - 5.93% gross rental yield

South West

  • Gloucester - 6.01% gross rental yield

  • Plymouth - 5.98% gross rental yield

  • Swindon - 5.80% gross rental yield

Wales

  • Blaenau Gwent - 7.25% gross rental yield

  • Merthyr Tydfil - 6.94% gross rental yield

  • Neath Port Talbot - 6.89% gross rental yield

West Midlands

  • Stoke-on-Trent - 6.90% gross rental yield

  • Coventry - 6.28% gross rental yield

  • Newcastle-under-Lyme - 6.22% gross rental yield

Yorkshire and the Humber

  • Hull - 7.03% gross rental yield

  • North East Lincolnshire - 6.92% gross rental yield

  • Bradford - 6.86% gross rental yield

Understanding Rental Yield

  1. Definition of Rental Yield:
    Rental yield is a measure that calculates the annual return from a rental property as a percentage of its cost. The gross yield considers the property's cost and rental income, while the net yield takes into account additional expenses such as maintenance and management.
  2. Importance of Rental Yield:
    Rental yield is crucial for investors to assess the viability of a property investment. It helps determine if the rental income is sufficient to cover expenses and potential unforeseen costs, such as repairs or vacancies.
  3. Factors to Consider Beyond Yield:
    When evaluating a buy-to-let property, it is important to consider factors beyond rental yield. While a high yield may initially seem attractive, other factors like property value appreciation and tenant demand should also be taken into account to ensure a successful investment.

Calculating Gross Rental Yield:
To calculate the gross rental yield, divide the annual rent by the property value, and then multiply by 100. For example, if a property is valued at £200,000 and generates an annual rent of £12,000, the gross yield would be 6%.

(Annual rent / property value) x 100 = gross rental yield

Calculating Net Rental Yield:
To calculate the net rental yield, deduct the annual costs (including mortgage payments, agency fees, property maintenance, and regulatory expenses) from the annual rental income. Then divide the result by the property value and multiply by 100. For instance, if the same £200,000 property generates £12,000 in annual rent but incurs £3,600 in expenses, the net yield would be 4.2%.

[(Annual rent - annual costs) / property value] x 100 = net rental yield

By considering the net rental yield, investors gain a clearer understanding of the actual return on investment after accounting for various costs and expenses.

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