Residential Lettings News; Family Homes In Demand

Flats in the UK have often been regarded as the bread and butter of the letting industry but now it is being suggested that family houses are much in demand in some areas and provide better returns.

With a booming lettings market in the UK, the residential sector is once again attracting investors’ cash. This is particularly prominent with foreign investors who see the UK’s AAA credit rating as being especially attractive and the UK Government’s policies seen as more robust and safer in the long term than many other developed economies.

‘As we see the lettings market continuing to expand in the Home Counties the demand for more family sized properties is rapidly increasing. The UK is a safe place to invest and with the continuing uncertainty in global stock markets, bricks and mortar are seen as a simple and reassuring investment,’ said James Wyatt, partner of Surrey based letting agents, Barton Wyatt.

However, as with all investments, detailed knowledge of the market you are investing in is essential. The lettings market in the so called golden commuter belt to the West of London in areas such as Virginia Water, Wentworth, Sunningdale, Weybridge, Esher and Cobham are unusual in that they offer expensive and good quality housing in attractive areas which are serviced by several international schools including The American Community School (ACS) in Egham and Cobham, TASIS in Thorpe and ISL in Woking.

This environment has led to demand for lettings properties being skewed very much in favour of four and five bedroom family houses, according to Wyatt. Typically in London and most cities around the country, it is one or two bedroom flats that are the main stay of the lettings market but in these international areas, it is definitely family homes which are in very short supply.