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

April 8, 2020

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

Estate Agent Talk

Budget wishlist

Kevin Shaw, National Sales Managing Director at LRG With the Budget just days away, the property market is in a slightly better place than it was this time last year. Stamp Duty has been ruled out of this year’s changes, which removes the kind of speculation that held buyers and sellers back last autumn. The…
Read More →
Estate Agent Talk

Autumn Budget 2026: Property industry experts comment

Ahead of Wednesday’s Autumn Budget, property industry experts from across the residential sales, lettings, land and property development, mortgage finance and client money protection sectors have shared their predictions, priorities and warnings for the Chancellor. With speculation surrounding property taxation, first-time buyer support, landlord investment, inheritance tax and housebuilding, industry leaders outline what Wednesday’s announcements…
Read More →
Adding second coat of varnish floor boards
Estate Agent Talk

5 Renovations That Can Transform a Property Before It Goes on the Market

Ask a vendor what they plan to fix before listing and the answer is often too ambitious. A loft conversion won’t be finished in time, and it rarely pays back on a quick sale. The changes that actually move a listing are smaller and cheaper, and they show up in the photos. Here are five…
Read More →
Breaking News

Seven things to do if a tree damages your property

Storm Austen and Storm Boelo are bringing strong winds and heavy rain across the UK this weekend, meaning homeowners could find themselves dealing with fallen trees, damaged roofs, crushed cars and difficult conversations with neighbours about who should pay. But what should you do if a neighbour’s tree comes crashing through your roof? Will your…
Read More →
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Leasing demand rises across all sectors

Leasing demand rises across all sectors as investment enquiries remain subdued Leasing enquiries rose across all four main commercial property sectors in the third quarter of 2026, while investment enquiries fell in three, according to Rightmove’s latest Commercial Insights Tracker. The figures point to improving occupier interest alongside a more cautious investment market. Industrial property…
Read More →
Breaking News

Don’t Put The Property Market On Pause

What Estate Agents actually want from the Budget Estate Agents are looking to the looming Budget for something that has been in short supply across the property market in recent years – certainty. That was one of the clearest messages to come out of iamproperty’s recent roundtable attended by agents from across the UK. The…
Read More →