When researching into the best areas in London to invest in a property to let, you will be keen to find out the sort of rental yield you can expect to enjoy in return.
A high rental yield ensures that your rental income covers the running costs of the property, from mortgage repayment to wear and tear.
What is rental yield and how is it calculated?
A rental yield refers to the value of rent you can expect to receive from your property in a year.
To cover all necessary expenses while allowing you to make a reasonable return on your investment, anywhere between 5-8% is considered a good rental yield.
The rental yield is calculated by dividing your annual rental income by your total investment, then multiplying this by 100. As an example, if you buy a house for £200,000 and rent it for £900 per month, your rental yield is 5.4%.
What is the average rental yield in London?
Yields fluctuate from region to region. In greater London, the average yield is 4.6%. Some areas see investors making significant gains, so specific location and property choice make a big difference when looking to invest in London.
What is a good rental yield in London?
London’s rental market is huge and there is always a demand for property. However, a high level of properties at a high market price in London means that buy to let property in the area must work hard to return a profit. For this reason, a good rental yield in London is 6%.
Which areas have the best rental yields in London, UK?
So where is the best place in London to invest in at the moment? We’ve put together a list of the best rental yield areas in London:
Barking and Dagenham
Average rental yield: 6.4%
Average house price: £268,263
London’s cheapest place to buy and rent property also provides the highest rental yields in the city. Houses prices in these areas typically tend to be much more affordable.
Merton
Average rental yield: 6.3%
Average house price: £448,504
Encompassing popular areas like Wimbledon and Colliers Wood, Merton offers widespread appeal to both tenants and landlords.
Sutton
Average rental yield: 6.2%
Average house price: £323,444
Sutton offers landlords a healthy return on investment as average house prices are low but with rents averaging out high. It is a very popular residential area away from central London for families to upsize.
Redbridge
Average rental yield: 6.2%
Average house price: £339,063
Redbridge is another borough that offers families good value homes within an easy commute of central London.
Guilford
Average rental yield: 5.7%
Average house price: £354,245
Guilford is a commuter town, and one that has been attracting Londoners for quite some time, due to its beautiful homes, green space, and an excellent town centre.
Harrow
Average rental yield: 5.5%
Average house price: £368,791
Harrow, Stanmore and Pinner all have outstanding local amenities and offer tenants excellent value for money.
Newham
Average rental yield: 5.1%
Average house price: £421,081
The east London borough of Newham is currently enjoying major investment and widespread development, making it a prime choice for buyers seeking a solid investment with good prospects.
Northolt
Average rental yield: 5%
Average house price: £318,272
In the London Borough of Ealing, Northolt has excellent transport facilities to Central London and is a good prospect for families, with access to green space.
Haringey
Average rental yield: 4.9%
Average house price: £445,240
With its central location and desirability factor, Haringey is immensely popular with young London renters, while also offering outstanding areas for families.
Woking
Average rental yield: 4.8%
Average house price: £316,909
Growing in popularity as a commuter option, Woking offers more square feet for your money than central London and no fewer than eight golf courses to choose between.
Enfield
Average rental yield: 4.8%
Average house price: £419,333
Well-served by rail, Overground and Piccadilly line services, the northern borough of Enfield is another suburban location attracting more attention from renters in recent years.
In Summary
In the age of comparison websites, finding out the rent prices for like-for-like properties is easier than ever. Therefore, if you have to charge extortionate amounts of money to make a return on investment, the property you’re looking at might not be the best one for you.
The current stamp duty holiday – on the first £500,000 of purchases until 31st March – was put in place as a bid to stimulate the property market in the wake of coronavirus, and has reassured investors that there is still money to be made in the buy to let sector.
If you’re looking for the perfect location to buy to let in London, calculating the rental yield will give you a great idea of whether it will be a worthwhile investment.
I've delved into property investment and rental yield extensively, evaluating various regions, property values, and rental incomes in London. Rental yield is a fundamental metric for property investors, indicating the potential return on investment through rental income. Calculated by dividing the annual rental income by the total investment and then multiplying by 100, it's a crucial figure to assess the profitability of a property.
In London, the average rental yield hovers around 4.6%, but the market isn't uniform across the city. Areas like Barking and Dagenham, Merton, Sutton, and Redbridge offer higher average yields, often surpassing 6%, making them attractive to investors. Factors such as affordability of properties, rental demand, and accessibility contribute to these variances.
For instance, Barking and Dagenham boast the highest average yield at 6.4%, coupled with relatively lower average house prices, making it an enticing option. Areas like Guilford, Harrow, Newham, and Northolt fall within the range of 5-6%, while others like Haringey, Woking, and Enfield sit slightly below.
The recent dynamics in the property market, including the stamp duty holiday, have influenced investor confidence. The stamp duty holiday, set at £500,000 until March 31st, has stimulated property investment, especially in the buy-to-let sector, affirming the potential for returns in the midst of the post-coronavirus market.
When considering properties, it's crucial to calculate the rental yield to gauge its profitability. High property prices might not always translate to favorable returns if the rental income doesn't cover expenses adequately. Comparison tools can assist in assessing rent prices for similar properties, aiding in making informed investment decisions.
Ultimately, the key lies in finding a balance between property price, rental income, and potential for growth or appreciation in value. Calculating rental yield serves as a critical step in this decision-making process for prospective property investors in London.
