UK tenants facing a tough financial task but it’s tougher for their Swiss, American and Dutch counterparts

Tenants in Switzerland, the United States and the Netherlands are facing the biggest financial hurdle if left unable to work as a result of the Coronavirus lockdown, with rental costs over just three months spiralling above £3,000, falling to £2,232 across the UK

Research by Hamilton Fraser’s deposit alternative scheme, Ome, has revealed the rental costs facing tenants across the nations currently worst affected by the Coronavirus outbreak.

With the impact of the pandemic looking likely to last for at least three months based on the UK Government’s buy-to-let mortgage holiday afforded to UK landlords, Ome looked at the average rental cost across the countries suffering the most. Ome then looked at what this would also equate to should a tenant be unable to pay their rent due to lack of income over the space of three months.

The research shows that the cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre is at its highest in Switzerland at an average of £1,325 per month; climbing to £3,976 over the space of three months.

The United States is home to the second-largest financial rental hurdle with an average rental cost of £1,168; again climbing to £3,504.

The Netherlands is the only other nation where the average rental cost exceeds £3,000 over three months of lockdown (£3,019), with tenants paying an average of £1,006 per month.

The data shows that the UK sits at number seven with the average monthly rent of £744 meaning a rental shortfall of £2,232 over three months for those unable to generate an income.

Ranking – top 20 by confirmed cases vs 3 month rent loss for landlords
Location
Confirmed Covid-19 cases
Average monthly rent (one bed city centre apartment – 2019)
3 month rent loss for landlords
Switzerland
17,768
£1,325
£3,976
United States
216,721
£1,168
£3,504
Netherlands
13,696
£1,006
£3,019
Australia
5,105
£873
£2,619
Israel
6,211
£826
£2,478
Canada
9,731
£791
£2,373
United Kingdom
29,865
£744
£2,232
Sweden
4,947
£735
£2,205
Germany
78,258
£693
£2,078
Belgium
13,964
£687
£2,061
Austria
10,711
£684
£2,053
France
57,763
£645
£1,934
Spain
104,118
£631
£1,893
Portugal
8,251
£600
£1,801
Italy
110,574
£576
£1,729
South Korea
9,976
£484
£1,452
Iran
47,593
£470
£1,409
China
82,735
£461
£1,382
Brazil
6,931
£225
£674
Turkey
15,679
£171
£514

Properganda PR

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

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Latest Halifax house price data shows a 1.3% increase

Here are some thoughts from the Industry   Mary-Lou Press, President of NAEA Propertymark (National Association of Estate Agents), comments: “The latest Halifax House Price Index confirms that average property values have remained above the £300,000 mark for the second consecutive month, reinforcing the resilience of the UK housing market. Sustained pricing at this level…
Read More
Breaking News

Halifax House Price Index February 2026

House prices rose in February as market maintains early-year momentum • House prices increased by +0.3% in February, following a +0.8% rise in January • Average property price is now £301,151, edging up to another new high • Annual growth of +1.3% is strongest in four months, up from +1.1% in January • Northern Ireland…
Read More
Breaking News

These are London’s most imbalanced housing markets

The latest research from Benham and Reeves reveals the least balanced housing markets in London where for-sale stock most heavily outweighs rental stock, thus putting renters in a difficult position when trying to find a home in the capital. Benham and Reeves has analysed current residential property listings in London* to discover which boroughs offer…
Read More
Breaking News

First-time buyer reform could reshape conveyancing risk landscape

The Government’s consultation on replacing the Lifetime ISA with a new first-time buyer savings product by April 2028, and review of the £450,000 property price cap, could have significant legal and transactional implications for buyers and property professionals alike. According to Beswicks Legal, the reform is a live conveyancing risk issue already affecting transactions on…
Read More
Breaking News

Property Redress reports Complaint enquiries rise 47%

Complaint enquiries rise 47% as Property Redress annual report shows faster resolutions and higher early settlements 47% increase in complaint enquiries in 2025 (4,220 vs 2,863 in 2024) 41% more cases accepted by December compared to the previous year Average resolution time reduced to 34 days (down from 39 days in 2024) 53% of cases resolved at early…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 2/3/26

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   Rightmove’s CEO Johan Svanstrom … ‘is a man under pressure’ Rightmove’s ‘Unthinkable Event’ Thought Leadership by Mal McCallion CEO at ModelProp, guiding AI-driven growth in property. The #Rightmove CEO came out swinging on Friday when his company’s latest set of annual results, for 2025, showed that they…
Read More