Bath Buy-to-Let Guide

Bath is an affluent and in-demand city, leading to some particularly pricey properties. According to Rightmove, the average price of a Bath property on their portal over the last year was £583,994.

The UK House Price Index puts the average Bath and North East Somerset house at £436,734. This is much higher than their overall UK average of £291,385.

In order to get the most out of investing in UK real estate, it’s important that investors keep up with the latest projections and trends.

Rental properties for sale in the area have seen some impressive capital appreciation over the years, but is this growth set to continue?

Property experts Savills have forecasted that the country’s capital value growth will jump in value by 2028, with the South West predicted to experience 21.6% growth during that time frame.

Learn more about the latest buy-to-let rules with RWinvest’s extensive resource library!

Bath is generally an expensive city to live in, with plenty of attractive, affluent residential areas. This includes Lansdown, which extends northwards from the city centre, and Bear Flat which is located to the South in walkable distance from central Bath. Also in the south is Oldfield Park, the prime student area in Bath, favoured for its proximity to the Oldfield Park train station.

In the North East, there are popular villages such as Bathampton, Bathford, and Batheaston. These quaint villages are known for their charm, but property can be more expensive here compared to more central Bath areas.

Further out, many separate villages and towns are closer to Bristol and Bradford-on-Avon.

So, is buy-to-let still a good investment in Bath?

Let’s take a look at some of the most popular areas in more detail.

Bear Flat

Average Property Prices in Bear Flat

£807,091

Average Rental Yield in Bear Flat

2.51%

Average Property Prices in Oldfield Park

£448,131

Average Rental Yield in Oldfield Park

7.29%

Average Property Prices in Bitton

£393,277

Average Rental Yield in Bitton

5.50%

(Average property prices taken from Rightmove, rental yield estimates calculated with figures from housesforsaletorent.co.uk)

What is the Best Area of Bath to Invest in?

Generally, Bath property is very expensive, which makes for disappointing yields in the area. The best chance at finding a high-yielding property seems to be by focusing on student accommodation in an in-demand area such as Oldfield Park. However, while high rental income can be achieved, a large amount of capital will be needed initially to acquire the property.

For investors seeking cheaper property in the Bath area, looking further afield from central Bath is necessary.

Areas like Bitton are not technically part of Bath, but some Bristol and Bradford-on-Avon villages on the outskirts can offer slightly more affordable property while still in the vicinity of the city.

Tourism

The city is well-regarded when it comes to historical and cultural importance, maintaining two UNESCO inscriptions.

It is classed as both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Great Spa Towns of Europe. Bath’s fame has made it a popular tourist spot, and the sector brings in nearly half a billion pounds a year to the local economy.

Subsequently, Bath could also be an excellent location to target for short-term letting. In 2019, Bath’s hotel occupancy was 77%. While the region is still recovering from the effects of the pandemic, research shows the visitor economy is returning to pre-Covid levels.

Commuter Town

With the rise of hybrid working, the number of potential London commuter towns has grown, and workers have started considering cities and towns further away from the capital.

For those who only need to travel to the office a few days a week, Bath has become an attractive place to reside.

As Bath is considered a ‘well-being destination’, with plenty of spas and beautiful surroundings, it’s a breath of fresh air compared to the cramped and busy London.

Bath residents can also commute to surrounding areas such as Bristol, widening the potential tenant pool that you can target.

Student City

There are two universities in the area, the University of Bath and Bath Spa University, and the city has plenty of appeal for students.

The University of Bath alone has over 20,000 students enrolled, and Bath Spa has around 8500. The city’s total population is about 90,000, so in any given year, nearly a quarter of the city’s residents are on the lookout for student accommodation. This makes Bath a good choice for investors interested in targeting students. Why not learn more about how to buy a house through your business in the UK, as an alternative investment option.

Student accommodation can sometimes offer better yields than standard residential buy-to-lets because students pay per person living in the property. If the location is chosen well, there will be a consistent stream of new students to target every year.

One way to engage with new-builds at a more affordable price is through off-plan property investment.

As this strategy involves investing earlier in the development process, investors can typically secure a good deal at prices below market value.

But it’s worth noting that off-plan options are more likely to be found in major cities, like new builds in Brighton and London in the South or Liverpool and Manchester in the North of England.