Location is crucial when investing in UK buy-to-let property, but what specific factors should investors be looking out for?
A growing economy, good connectivity and regeneration are three of the most important and visible things to look for.
However, arguably one of the most important factors is population growth. Buying property in a place where people are moving is the key to maximising your returns – especially when there aren’t enough homes for the existing population.
One place that ticks the population growth box is Bristol, the biggest city in England’s beautiful South West.
Bristol’s large population
Bristol already has a large population of 470,000. Over the last Census period, the city saw population growth of more than 10%.
An attractive location with great connectivity to London, a growing economy and a unique cultural offering makes Bristol an incredibly city.
In the future, the City Council estimates that Bristol’s population will keep growing fast.
By 2040, Bristol's population is projected to exceed 525,000, with an estimated 55,000 new residents expected to move to the city over the next 15 years.
Given that there is already a shortage of 25,000 homes in the city, according to the Council, houses will become even harder to come by.
The growing demand for housing in Bristol continues to drive rental prices upward, solidifying the city as an excellent long-term investment opportunity.
So, why invest in Bristol? The population growth makes it simple maths.
World class universities and students from around the world
Another group of people putting pressure on Bristol’s available housing stock are the students at the city’s universities. Many of them are unable to secure a place in halls of residence and instead have to rent private accommodation in the city.
This is particularly true for international students, who are highly inclined to opt for luxury rental properties such as those offered at The Chocolate Factory.
Almost 70,000 students come to Bristol each year, making it one of the biggest university cities in the UK.
That’s a significant additional group of people that landlords can rely on to compete for property each year, putting even more pressure on the available housing stock and pushing prices up.
Bristol offers everything landlords want
While there is lots to consider for landlords, the reality is that the number one factor which motivates the purchase of buy to let property is the potential return on investment.
Bristol offers the ideal conditions for rising rents, and the number of people in the city looking for accommodation means that void periods are almost unheard of.
For a buy to let investor, that is ideal and it should make Bristol one of the top places to buy UK property and invest in buy to let property in 2025.
Learn more about Bristol and our available UK buy to let opportunities here.
