Two beds make the best buy-to-let investment

The latest research by leading lettings management platform, Howsy, has looked at which property makes the best investment for buy-to-let landlords when it comes to current rental yields.

Howsy looked at current rental yields across one bed, two bed, three bed and four bed+ properties based on the average cost of buying each property type and the average rent they command.

The research shows that across England, two-bed properties make by far the best investment option with the average yield at 4.8% compared to 4.1% for a one bed, 4.5% for a three bed and 3.6% for properties with four or more bedrooms.

It also seems that investing in a two bed up north is a better bet to maximise those rental yields with the North East seeing the highest average yields for a two bed property at 5.5%.

The North West is the next best option with the average rental yield for a two bed at 5.3%, followed by Yorkshire and the Humber (5.2%) and the East and West Midlands at 5.1% and 5% respectively.

The average rental yield for a two bed in the capital currently sits at 4.5%, but interestingly, London is the only region where a two bed doesn’t offer the best yields across all room sizes.

This title is reserved for the lowly one bed where rental yields on this property size hit 4.6%.

If you’re in the market for a three bed, then the North West is the most lucrative region with yields at  4.9%, while Yorkshire and the Humber is your best bet for a four bed or above with an average rental yield of 4.3%.

Founder and CEO of Howsy, Calum Brannan, commented:

“As a landlord, maximising the profitability of your buy-to-let investment is as vital now as its ever been and property size and type are as important as location when it comes to doing so.

While the two bed property is traditionally the most popular amongst tenants and landlords due to the additional size without going overboard on costs, there is a slight regional variation in the capital.

This is of course, due to the high rents you can secure in London even on a one bed and the overwhelming demand for properties that have seen even the smallest ‘studio flats’ rent for above average prices.”

Location / region
One bedroom – Rental Yield
Two bedroom – Rental Yield
Three bedroom – Rental Yield
Four + bedroom – Rental Yield
England
3.6%
4.1%
4.3%
3.6%
Yorkshire and the Humber
4.1%
5.2%
4.8%
4.3%
South West
4.1%
4.4%
4.3%
4.0%
North East
4.2%
5.5%
4.8%
3.7%
North West
4.3%
5.3%
4.9%
3.6%
London
4.6%
4.5%
4.5%
3.6%
East Midlands
3.7%
5.1%
4.6%
3.5%
South East
4.0%
4.2%
4.0%
3.4%
West Midlands
4.3%
5.0%
4.6%
3.4%
East
3.8%
4.1%
3.9%
3.1%
Sources
Private rent statistics
Average price by bedroom (based on mortgage transaction prices)

Properganda PR

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

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Breaking Property News 20/12/24

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   Why estate and letting agents must embrace innovative technology in 2025   As we step into 2025, the UK property market continues to shift, and estate agents face mounting pressure to meet the evolving expectations of buyers and sellers. The days when static images sufficed…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 19/12/24

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   High street Auctions’ initiative launches to revive Britain’s town centres   This month the UK Government rolls out its highly anticipated ‘High Street Auctions’ scheme, a flagship measure of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. This initiative grants local authorities the power to take…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

Moving Up In The World: Finding Your Dream Home

Finding your dream home is one of life’s most exciting and transformative experiences. Whether you’re looking to upsize, relocate, or finally purchase that ideal property you’ve always envisioned, the journey is both thrilling and filled with important decisions. As you embark on this path, it’s essential to plan carefully, consider your priorities, and approach the…
Read More
new build home fronts
Breaking News

These cities are the keenest to move house in 2025

Bournemouth is the keenest area in the UK to move home, with 38,132 average monthly searches for moving-related topics per 100,000 residents. Plymouth is second, with 35,198 average monthly searches for moving, and Birmingham is third, with 35,181. Derry is the least keen area to move house, with only 3,170 average monthly searches related to…
Read More
Love or Hate Rightmove
Breaking News

Number of rental enquiries still double pre-pandemic, as rents predicted to rise 3%

The average number of enquiries sent to agents about each available property they have to rent is still nearly double the level it was in 2019, despite improvements in the balance between supply and demand: Each available property receives an average of 11 enquiries, nearly double the 6 at this time in 2019 This is…
Read More
bank of england interest rate
Breaking News

Response to the Bank of England interest rates decision

Response to the Bank of England interest rates decision, thoughts from the Industry Rates were left unchanged at 4.75% MPC voted 6 to 3 in favour of holding rates flat, with three members preferring to cut rates by 0.25% to 4.5% In the near-term inflation is expected to “continue to rise slightly” The market was expecting rates to remain…
Read More