A lettings and estate agency has revealed a location where it says 50 per cent of its sales this year have been to landlords.
Chestertons says 50 per cent of purchasers at its South Kensington branch have been to buy-to-let investors while agency’s Tower Bridge office - which also covers the areas of Bermondsey, Canada Water and Wapping - has witnessed an uplift in buy-to-let landlords of 20 per cent compared to 2021.
Chestertons suggests that the continued increase in London rents is leading to a gradual return of buy-to-let landlords who are attracted by the higher yields at a time when many people are taking steps to avoid financial risk.
The agency’s managing director, Richard Davies, says: “Although the current spike in investors appears to focus on the micro-markets of South Kensington and Bermondsey, with the substantial uplift in rental prices, we are expecting to see more landlords returning to other parts of the capital."
He continues: “The market had become increasingly challenging for buy-to-let landlords and, with the decline in private landlords, London inevitably saw a reduction in the number of properties available to rent. This intensified an already competitive market, in which demand heavily outstripped supply. With investors returning, London renters may soon be able to choose from a larger selection of properties again.”
Chestertons’ area director Tony Gambrill adds: “The stamp duty surcharge of three per cent, introduced in 2016, as well as landlords no longer being able to get a full tax relief on mortgage interest, has led to a gradual decline in buy-to-let landlords. Although these tax rules are still in place and interest rates have gone up, bricks and mortar is still seen as one of the safest investments and we are now witnessing more investors returning to the market, wanting to diversify their portfolio and protect themselves against rising inflation.”
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Good agent Chestertons , wish they’d move in near me
Give knight Frank and Strutt a bit of competition
I would've appreciated if the heading for this title just said Prime Central London, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, or just simply Kensington and I would've saved my time in reading.
However, the return yields are great if you can afford it. I recently saw a parking space in Portman Road, London W1H selling for £750K.
It will definitely sell for more than £750K!
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