The best current property investment locations in the UK

February 19, 2020

The latest research by the peer to peer lending platform Sourced Capital of the Sourced.co Group has revealed where is currently home to the best bricks and mortar investment options based on current rental yields across the UK property market.

Over the last five years, investment into the real estate, renting and business sector has increased by 48.4%, one of the largest increases in the non-manufacturing industries behind just the ‘construction’ and ‘other service’ sectors in terms of performance.

Despite Brexit uncertainty hitting house price growth, coupled with changes to tax regulations and a hike in stamp duty thresholds for buy-to-let landlords, the UK property market has stood firm and remains one of the most consistent investment options available in today’s markets.

The average rental yield currently sits at 4% across the UK, but whether you’re investing into your own buy-to-let property or via a peer to peer lending platform such as Sourced Capital, there remains a wealth of property pockets offering yields above and beyond the national average.

Nationally and Regionally

The nation currently offering the best top-line yields is Scotland at 5.8%, closely followed by Northern Ireland at 5.4%, with England also coming in just above the UK average (4.1%).

Regionally, the North East (4.9%), Yorkshire and the Humber (4.5%) and the North West (4.4%) are home to the most favorable rental yields, but what about on a more granular level?

The best buy-to-let spots in the UK

Scotland’s current buy-to-let pedigree is also clear on a local level, with 14 of the top 20 areas for current yields located north of the border.

Glasgow ranks top at present with yields hitting 7.8% on average, followed by West Dunbartonshire (7.2%) and Inverclyde (7.1%).

Burnley ranks at number six and the best in England with the average rental yield currently at 6.6%, followed by Belfast (6.4%).

Other areas outside of Scotland to make the top 20 include Blackpool (5.9%), Country Durham (5.8%), Pende (5.8%) and Hyndburn (5.8%).

In London, Tower Hamlets is currently home to the highest yields at 4.7%, followed by neighbouring Newham (4.6%) and Barking and Dagenham (4.6%).

Founder and Managing Director of Sourced Capital, Stephen Moss, commented:

“One positive that can be taken from months of stagnant house price growth brought on by Brexit uncertainty is that rental yields have seen a boost due to a fall in property values coupled with consistently high rental demand and rental prices as a result.

We’ve already seen a Boris inspired bounce late last year with early signs that the market has ‘bottomed out’ and is once again on the up already in 2020. As a result, we’ve also seen an early flurry of investor activity as they realise now is a great time to get a foot in the door and secure a good deal before prices do regain momentum and the returns available start to tighten.

With the property sector remaining one of the most consistent where investment over the last five years is concerned, we expect to see yet further growth over the year and beyond and whether you choose to invest in your own buy-to-let property or via the peer to peer channel, now is as good a time as any to commit while the market is still finding its feet.”

Nationally
Location
Rental Yield
Scotland
5.8%
Northern Ireland
5.4%
England
4.1%
Wales
3.6%
United Kingdom
4.0%
Regionally
Location
Rental Yield
North East
4.9%
Yorkshire and the Humber
4.5%
North West
4.4%
London
4.3%
West Midlands
4.2%
East Midlands
3.8%
South West
3.8%
South East
3.7%
East of England
3.6%
Top 20 highest yields in the UK
Location
Rental Yield
Glasgow City
7.8%
West Dunbartonshire
7.2%
Inverclyde
7.1%
Midlothian
6.9%
East Ayrshire
6.6%
Burnley
6.6%
Belfast
6.4%
Dundee City
6.3%
Falkirk
6.3%
Aberdeen City
6.1%
Clackmannanshire
6.1%
Na h-Eileanan Siar
5.9%
Renfrewshire
5.9%
North Ayrshire
5.9%
Blackpool
5.9%
County Durham
5.8%
Pendle
5.8%
Hyndburn
5.8%
Moray
5.8%
North Lanarkshire
5.7%
London boroughs
Location
Rental Yield
Tower Hamlets
4.7%
Newham
4.6%
Barking and Dagenham
4.5%
Greenwich
4.2%
Hounslow
4.1%
City of London
4.1%
Lambeth
4.0%
Enfield
4.0%
Bexley
4.0%
Southwark
3.9%
Hackney
3.9%
Havering
3.9%
Westminster
3.9%
Lewisham
3.8%
Redbridge
3.8%
Wandsworth
3.8%
Brent
3.8%
Harrow
3.8%
Croydon
3.7%
Sutton
3.7%
Islington
3.7%
Bromley
3.7%
Hillingdon
3.6%
Ealing
3.6%
Merton
3.6%
Waltham Forest
3.5%
Camden
3.5%
Barnet
3.5%
Hammersmith and Fulham
3.5%
Richmond upon Thames
3.3%
Kingston upon Thames
3.3%
Haringey
3.3%
Kensington and Chelsea
3.1%
Sources
Average house price
Average Private rent
England
Scotland
Gov.scot
Wales
Northern Ireland

 

Industry
Sub-industry group
Sector
Total Change 5 year
Total business investment UK
x
x
13.18%
Manufacturing > Private sector
x
x
20.84%
Non-manufacturing > Private sector
x
x
12.08%
Private sector > Manufacturing
Textiles, leather, clothing, and footwear
x
150.94%
Private sector > Manufacturing
Solid fuels and oil refining
x
87.50%
Private sector > Manufacturing
Food, drink, and tobacco
x
41.24%
Private sector > Manufacturing
Other manufacturing
x
33.14%
Private sector > Manufacturing
Metals and metal goods
x
31.01%
Private sector > Manufacturing
Engineering and vehicles
x
20.36%
Private sector > Manufacturing
Chemicals and man-made fibres
x
8.53%
Private sector > Non-manufacturing
Construction
x
100.24%
Private sector > Non-manufacturing
Other services
x
16.25%
Private sector > Non-manufacturing
Other production
x
-3.54%
Private sector > Non-manufacturing
Distribution services
x
-4.69%
Private sector > Non-manufacturing > Other production
Other production
Electricity, gas, and water
24.32%
Private sector > Non-manufacturing > Other production
Other production
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing
18.32%
Private sector > Non-manufacturing > Other production
Other production
Mining and quarrying
-46.13%
Private sector > Non-manufacturing > Other services
Other services
Other services
54.92%
Private sector > Non-manufacturing > Other services
Other services
Real estate, renting, and business
48.38%
Private sector > Non-manufacturing > Other services
Other services
Health and social work
21.74%
Private sector > Non-manufacturing > Other services
Other services
Information and communication
20.94%
Private sector > Non-manufacturing > Other services
Other services
Education
20.01%
Private sector > Non-manufacturing > Other services
Other services
Financial intermediation
1.13%
Private sector > Non-manufacturing > Other services
Other services
Transportation and storage
-19.04%
Private sector > Non-manufacturing > Other services
Other services
Hotels and restaurants
-42.35%

Properganda PR

National and local media coverage for property businesses. Journo quotes delivered in minutes.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Property compliance experts urge landlords not to ignore major tenancy changes under Renters’ Rights Act

Beresfords property group highlights key actions landlords must take as new tenancy rules, enforcement powers and energy standards approach. UK landlords are being warned not to overlook major changes to tenancy agreements and compliance requirements, as the Government moves closer to implementing the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. Following the publication of draft secondary legislation, the…
Read More →
Breaking News

Nationwide becoming first lender to allow mortgage deeds to be signed digitally

Mary-Lou Press, President of NAEA Propertymark (National Association of Estate Agents), comments: “The conveyancing process remains one of the most common sources of frustration for buyers and sellers, with more than 30 per cent of housing transactions taking over 17 weeks to complete on average. These prolonged timescales only serve to increase pressure and uncertainty…
Read More →
Breaking News

Fruitful year ahead for aspiring first-time buyers

First-time buyers and those with little equity to refinance will find greater mortgage choice. During January, there was an uplift in higher LTV deals, with 90% LTV options at a record-high, plus a boost to 95% LTV deals, which are at their highest count since March 2008. The electronic monitoring of LTV choice at Moneyfacts…
Read More →
Breaking News

Lovelocked London homebuyers face romance premium

The latest research by London lettings and estate agent, Benham and Reeves, reveals that lovelocked London homebuyers house hunting across the capital’s most romantic locations can expect to pay house premiums of more than 64%. But couples can still find great value if they know where to look. Benham and Reeves has identified nine of…
Read More →
Breaking News

First-time buyers face highest hurdle in England

The latest research from Yopa has found that while first-time buyers in England continue to face the highest cost of getting a foot on the property ladder, at £27,807, it’s their Scottish counterparts who have seen this cost rise by the largest margin over the last year, increasing by 5.5%. Yopa analysed* the current cost…
Read More →
Breaking News

Rental price and average salary tracker – January 2026

Seasonal cooling deepens regional rent declines, while affordability pressures remain structurally high Month-on-month rental prices fell across the majority of regions, with particularly pronounced drops in the North East (−10.0%), South West (−8.1%), Yorkshire and Humberside (−7.4%), and Wales (−6.1%), highlighting a clear seasonal slowdown as demand softens post-Christmas. Year-on-year salary requirements show only modest…
Read More →