The North takes bigger buy-to-let share

In 2016 the North East, North West and Yorkshire and the Humber collectively accounted for 17.1% of buy-to-let purchase applications – but by 2017 this rose to 24.9%.

The North takes bigger buy-to-let share

A quarter of Commercial Trust's buy-to-let applications were in the North of England in 2017.

In 2016 the North East, North West and Yorkshire and the Humber collectively accounted for 17.1% of buy-to-let purchase applications – but by 2017 this rose to 24.9%.

Over the same period the South East’s share of the market grew from 13.9% to 16.3%, though London’s share fell from 24% to 18.4%.

Andrew Turner, chief executive at Commercial Trust, said: “There has been a resurgence in buy-to-let activity in the North of England, with the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber and the North West all showing healthy growth in buy-to-let activity.

“With property prices typically cheaper – and a strong demand for private rental homes from a workforce in regenerated cities and from thriving student populations, there is plenty of incentive for those looking to invest in property, to look North.

“The latest Your Move Index confirmed that the North East and the North West deliver the best yields for buy-to-let landlords in England and Wales, so it is little surprise to see shrewd investors taking advantage of low mortgage rates, high rental demand and cheaper property prices.”