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Top five cities for rental investment

Catherine Deshayes

Leeds nudges Cambridge out of the top five cities in which landlords own rental property

During the Industrial Revolution, Leeds developed into a major industrial centre for the production and trade of wool, before emerging as a centre for commerce and higher education, being the location of the University of Leeds, Leeds Metropolitan University and Leeds Trinity and All Saints.

Today the city is one of the largest financial and legal centres outside London, and is attracting a record number of landlords snapping up rental properties.

Recent research by revealed that the top five cities in which landlords own rental property are London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds and Glasgow.

London is top with 15%, and Leeds (with 4%) has nudged Cambridge out of the top five in the last year, drawing landlords with its mass of student renters, city centre living, plentiful amenities and property prices that are cheaper than Cambridge.

Lynsey Sweales, Director at The Money Centre, said, "With a landlord's top influence being proximity to the town centre and proximity to rail links and motorway when purchasing properties; good rental returns can be achieved in cities like Leeds, Manchester, Glasgow and London."

"Professional landlords are more likely to add locations with universities or large employers in to their search criteria when looking to purchase properties," Ms Sweales added.