Biggest climbing buy-to-let hotspots in the pandemic market lockdown

Latest research from lettings management platform, Howsy, has revealed the pockets of the UK rental market currently registering the strongest yields, as well as those that have seen yields increase despite the current pandemic.

See the data on the best and biggest increases here.

The figures show that the current average UK rental yield sits at 3.5%, having seen a marginal decline from the 3.6% registered prior to the pandemic hitting in December of last year.

However, even with the obstacles that the current landscape presents, there are still a number of buy-to-let pockets providing strong returns for landlords who want to invest in property.

Bradford is home to the highest average yield at 10%, far better than the UK average, with Gwynedd (6.2%) and North Down (6%) also home to an average yield of 6% or more.

Glasgow, Liverpool, Preston, West Dunbartonshire, North Lanarkshire, Forest Heath and Manchester also rank high, while at the other end of the scale Kensington and Chelsea, Malvern Hills and Chiltern are home to the UK’s worst average yields at 2.3%.

Despite the problems posed by the current pandemic, predictions of house prices falling while rental demand remains high could mean an increase in yields, as the investment cost to return ratio becomes more favourable.

But even before this materialises, there are patches of the UK buy-to-let market that have already seen yields increase since November.

The largest has been in North West Leicestershire, where yields are up 1.4% during the pandemic. Arun, Corby and West Norfolk have also enjoyed an increase of 0.8% in rental yields, with North Dorest and Newark and Sherwood seeing a 0.7% uplift.

Kettering, Derby, Breckland and Falkirk also make the top 10 for largest pandemic rental yield uplifts.

Rhondda Cynon Taf, York, Gedling, Chiltern and the Vale of Glamorgan, however, have seen the largest declines of between 1%-3.5%.

Properganda PR

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

You May Also Enjoy

Estate Agent Talk

Four to five houses is the sweet spot for first-time buyers

House hunting before the stress kicks in Just 20% of us feel excited on a first property viewing, rising to 47% by viewings 4 to 5 There’s a U shape trajectory of excitement when it comes to the viewing process However, there is a gradual rise in stress levels the more properties viewed Overall just…
Read More
Estate Agents should not all look the same
Letting Agent Talk

Opinion: Why Letting Agents Are The Cape-Wearing Heroes Landlords Need 

By Sally Lawson | Agent Rainmaker Let’s be honest – no landlords signed up to become compliance officers, legal experts, or legislative gurus. They signed up to invest in property. And yet, the weight of the regulatory obligation that’s landed on their shoulders has never been heavier.  And that’s even before the Renters’ Rights Act…
Read More
Letting Agent Talk

Void periods ease following RRA implementation, but remain higher than a year ago

The latest analysis by property management specialist, Rushbrook & Rathbone, has found that average rental void periods across England have eased since the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act (RRA) in May, suggesting that landlords are beginning to adapt to the new legislative landscape. The firm believes many are using this period of change as…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

76% of Poor Conveyancing Experiences Feature Communication Issues

Konnect You analysis finds that communication issues feature in more than three in four poor conveyancing experiences, with missing updates, slow responses and repeated chasing emerging as common frustrations. Communication problems, including limited updates, delayed responses and repeated chasing, featured in 76% of poor home-mover conveyancing experiences analysed by Konnect You. The findings suggest communication is a major factor in how home movers experience delays.…
Read More
Breaking News

1 in 8 new-build homes unsold after six months

Developers hold their nerve as one in eight new-build homes remain unsold after six months   Jonathan Samuels, CEO of specialist lender, Octane Capital, believes that developers are increasingly prioritising profitability over speed of sale, with new-build homes spending longer on the market as developers resist unnecessary price reductions and instead look to protect scheme…
Read More
Breaking News

Rental price and average salary tracker – July 2026

Year-on-year Rental Price Growth Moderates, Yet High Demand and Limited Supply Continue to Push Rents Higher London recorded the strongest monthly rental growth, with average rents rising from £2,385 to £2,484 (+4.2% month-on-month). As a result, the representative annual salary needed to secure the average-priced rental home increased from £70,050 to £74,520 (+6.4% year-on-year). The…
Read More