While there are several surveys published around the year about the
best and worst student BTL areas for landlords to consider, the latest
offering from Uswitch offers food for thought.
That’s because its survey, which considered the average house price and the
student rent being paid per week, has found an unusual location to top its
list.
The platform also considered the proportion of international and UK
students who are renting privately and how much a landlord’s annual income
is.
According to Uswitch, five of the best areas for student landlords to buy a
property and rent it out to students are in Scotland.
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland takes first place
Its calculations show that the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCoS) in
Glasgow takes first place as being the best buy to let opportunity.
However, it’s not the cheapest city with a university in which to buy
property – average prices are just under £200,000 – but the data shows it
should generate £180 a week, or £9,400 a year.
In second place is the University of Edinburgh where house prices are
£125,000 dearer than the RCoS and where student landlords can enjoy an
income of £222 a week, or £11,544 a year.
Researchers highlight that Edinburgh offers the second best amount for
landlord earnings – though landlords with students at the University of
Greenwich earn more.
But Greenwich doesn’t even make the top 10 because house prices are an
average of £691,000 -that’s twice what they are in Edinburgh and landlords
are only making £16 a week more than they would in the Scottish city.
First English university in the top 10
The first English university in the top 10 is the University of Cumbria in
sixth place where landlords can earn just under £9,000 per year.
Here, the average house price is £147,000 and it is the second most
affordable city in the country – after Teesside University where property
will cost a landlord £144,000.
The survey also reveals that 53% of university students choose to rent
privately, but international students have the lowest renting rates in the
country at just 3%.
It’s a different situation for international students at London’s Imperial
College of Science, Technology and Medicine where 51% of international
students are renting privately. Imperial is in seventh place.
Again, landlords will be faced with an average house price of £691,000 –
that’s four-and-a-half times more expensive than property in Carlisle and
landlords only generate an extra £936 a year.
‘University towns and cities that have the potential of delivering great
yields’
Simon Thompson, the managing director of Accommodation for Students, said:
“This is an interesting survey because it highlights other university towns
and cities that have the potential of delivering great yields and returns
for landlords.
“We always stress that student landlords who offer quality and safe student
accommodation will always have strong demand from potential tenants but the
list of best student BTL areas for investment are certainly worth
considering.”
The Uswitch top 10 best university BTL cities are:
- Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Glasgow
- University of Edinburgh
- Abertay University, Dundee
- Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen
- The University of Glasgow
- University of Cumbria, Carlisle
- Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London
- Glyndŵr University, Wrexham
- The University of Lancaster
- Glasgow Caledonian University
The 10 worst BTL areas for renting to university students:
- Keele University
- Brunel University, London
- Oxford Brookes University
- Newman University, Birmingham
- London Metropolitan University
- The University of Surrey, Guildford
- Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge
- Bath Spa University
- Harper Adams University, Newport
- University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham
Students go without food to save money
ITV News has revealed that one in four students say they
go without food
because of the cost-of-living crisis. They also say they can’t afford other
necessities and the findings highlight the growing financial pressure that
some university students are facing. The research, carried out by
University College London, shows that students are also cutting back on
nights out and socialising and some are considering quitting their course.
The research shows that on average, a student has £50 per month left after
paying for rent, food and bills. In response, Russell Group universities
say they are boosting their support for students, subsidising food and
offering financial help.
One in seven students is autistic or have ADHD
A new
study
reveals that one in seven university students say they are autistic or have
ADHD. The findings from PBSA-provider Unite Students highlight that 14% of
university applicants have autism or attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD) after researchers questioned 2,000 applicants across the
UK. Those who say they have issues also point to specific learning
disabilities, including dyspraxia and dyslexia. Also, 52% of students say
they have experienced depression recently, and 63% have experienced anxiety
at some point in the last two years. Unite Students say the report provides
valuable information to the PBSA and higher education sectors to help
improve the experiences of neurodiverse students.
