Research has revealed that areas with high crime rates tend to deliver higher rental yields for landlords.
The findings from a national lettings platform looked at how crime rates impact on yields and found that the landlord's returns will increase along with the level of crime.
The platform analysed government data on population and crime as well as average house prices and rental costs.
Their aim was to find out whether areas with high crime and buy to let profitability have a correlation.
In the highest category of those areas with 100 or more crimes per 1,000 people, rental yields reached an average of 4.3% and were the highest of the crime areas surveyed.
Best buy to let investment areas in the UK
Researchers also used the information to find the best buy to let investment areas in the UK where there are lower levels of crime but offering high returns for landlords.
They found that Merthyr Tydfil, which is in a low crime category of 0 to 40 crimes per 1,000 people, is also home to the highest yield.
Landlords there can expect their rental property to deliver yields of 5.52% with a low chance of crime damaging their investment.
The second safest investment is also in Wales in Rhondda Cynon Taff with landlords enjoying yields of 4.5%.
A spokesman for the platform said: "When a landlord is looking to invest, it's worth considering additional factors that may have an impact on your property and not just focus on the topline return."
Private rental tenants happy with homes
Meanwhile, the annual English Housing Survey has revealed that most tenants in the private rental sector are either 'satisfied' or 'very satisfied' with their home.
The latest report reveals that 84% of tenants expressed satisfaction with their rental property.
The survey also reveals that tenants are spending 33% of their household income, which also includes housing benefit, on rent.
For social renters, the figure is 28%, while those with a mortgage are paying 17%.
However, for tenants renting privately in London, they are spending 42% of their income on rent.
The policy director of the Residential Landlords' Association, David Smith, said: "The English Housing Survey dispels the myth that renting privately means having insecure tenancies and increasing costs. It shows tenants are spending less on rent, which is down from last year, and they remain in their home for more than four years on average.”
