High Wycombe Buy-to-Let Guide

According to housesforsaletorent.co.uk, the average monthly rent for a property in High Wycombe is £1,832 PCM. HomeLet Rental Index states that the average UK rent is £1,268 PCM, with the average London rent now standing at £2,127. This makes High Wycombe a pricey area compared to the UK but cheaper than London overall.

The chronic supply-demand imbalance observed in the private rental sector in recent years continues to apply upward pressure on rents nationwide. Wycombe has also experienced rapid rental growth, and according to the BBC, the monthly rent has increased by 9.6% in the past year (January figures). Increases look set to continue as the undersupply of rental properties remains an issue.

High Wycombe has gained a reputation as a commuter town for London workers thanks to the short journey into the capital and the attractive property offered at a more affordable price point. The area also has appeal as a scenic place to live, as it is located in the valley of the River Wye and surrounded by the Chiltern Hills.

High Wycombe’s charms have drawn more people to the area, and its population has increased by 18% over the last decade, according to Buckinghamshire Council.

The main campus of the Buckinghamshire New University is also located in High Wycombe, so there’s a chance to target student tenants in the area. The university is mid-sized, with a student population of nearly 15,000.

Average Property Prices in Terriers

The average property price in this area is £356,571.

Average Rental Yield in Terriers

The average rental yield in this area is 3.93%.

Average Property Prices in Amersham

The average property price in this area is £805,428.

Average Rental Yield in Amersham

The average rental yield in this area is 2.58%.

(Average property prices were taken from Rightmove in late 2023, and the gross rental yield estimates were calculated with figures from housesforsaletorent.co.uk in the same period)

What is the Best Area of High Wycombe to Invest in?

Overall, rental yields in High Wycombe are quite low compared to other areas of the UK. A decent yield can be found in more central areas like Terriers and Micklefield, where the average property price is more affordable than the High Wycombe average.

While there are some attractive towns and villages around and outside of High Wycombe, the property can be very expensive in some cases, making it difficult for many investors to acquire property in these areas and hard to find a good rental yield.

The imbalance between supply and demand across the UK has increased demand for new homes. In 2023, Buckinghamshire Council sold unused land at Horns Lane High Wycombe to deliver 50 new-build properties to address the urgent need for new, affordable housing within the county.

New-build properties usually see higher prices than most residential properties, but an advantage is that there are lower maintenance costs for landlords – owing to the property being freshly built. Following more eco-conscious trends, these developments are also likely to include the latest eco-technology (such as solar panels and air-source heat pumps), which can dramatically reduce energy bills for tenants and landlords.

Considering the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and increased eco-awareness, investing in a new-build property could be one of the best strategies to consider in 2024.

High Wycombe has an attractive property market in a scenic location, with proven demand from affluent renters who work in London. Although the house prices are cheaper than buy-to-let in London, acquiring a property in High Wycombe can still be expensive for most investors. Other commuter towns have cheaper properties, such as Swindon (average price of £273,558 according to Rightmove) or Luton (£317,903).

Moving away from London commuter areas, if you’re looking for an investment with a lower financial barrier to entry, it’s worth looking up North. Many major cities in the North of England have affordable property that is significantly lower than the UK average. As the property prices are higher in High Wycombe, finding a good rental yield is difficult. According to Zoopla, the average gross yield on a buy-to-let property in Liverpool is 7.21%, and Rightmove’s average property price for Liverpool is £211,856.

In the next few years, the South East is predicted to see slower capital value growth compared to other regions. Property expert Savills predicts that the South East will see a 17.6% increase over the next five years, whilst other areas like the North West are expected to see higher increases of 29.4% in the same period. Read more in our Property investment guide for 2024.

Further Reading: Take a look at our guide to UK real estate investment for the latest projections for the rest of the UK rental market!