St. Albans Buy-to-Let Guide

As is typical of the cities and towns surrounding London, St. Albans property prices are considerably more expensive than the UK average.

As per the HM Land Registry UK House Price Index, the average market value of property in St. Albans was £553,372 as of December 2023. In sharp contrast, the average UK house price for the same period was £282,691.

This makes St. Albans properties around 64 % more expensive than the rest of the UK.

Whether you want to purchase a detached property or studio apartment, you can expect to pay the following for different-sized buy-to-let investments.

• Detached: £1,085,459
• Semi-detached: £677,041
• Terraced: £494,239
• Flats and maisonettes: £295,230

The Savills Residential Property Forecast predicts that the East of England region is expected to see 19.9% capital growth. This is better than the London region forecast (17.1%) but pales compared to the UK’s 23.4% capital growth prediction.

Discover More: Interested in learning more about buy-to-let property investment? See our guide on how to start a property portfolio.

St. Albans offers diverse investment properties like detached homes, semi-detached residences, and flats. Despite their cost, they present a more affordable alternative than neighbouring London.

During the past year, semi-detached properties dominated sales in St. Albans, commanding an average price of £701,318. Terraced properties followed with an average sale price of £557,068, while flats fetched £314,228 on average. We recommend reading our useful resource detailing the UK interest rates chart for further insights.

According to Rightmove, property prices in St. Albans experienced a 5% decrease compared to the previous year but remained 2% higher than the peak in 2021, which was £617,854.

Find Out More: If you’re interested in UK property investment in the capital, check out our guide to the London property market.

To the south of St. Albans city centre lie the residential areas of Sopwell, St. Stephens, and St. Julians. These neighbourhoods are popular among residents due to their charming older homes, convenient access to the city centre, and good transportation options via road and rail from St. Albans Abbey.

Further beyond, you’ll find the distinct village of Chiswell Green and the larger town of London Colney. Chiswell Green is particularly appealing to commuters as it boasts two railway stations. While London Colney is not as close to St. Albans, it offers amenities, including shops and schools, along with notable sites like the Arsenal FC and Watford FC training grounds.

London Colney also enjoys easy access to the M25 and numerous workplaces nearby. The properties here range from traditional cottages to newly constructed homes, with prices averaging around 20% lower than the St. Albans average.

Average Property Price in South St. Albans

The average property price in this area is £568,998.

Average Rental Yield in South St. Albans

The average rental yield in this area is 4.64%.

Strong Visitor Economy & Plenty to Do

St. Albans draws many visitors due to its rich history. Key attractions include St. Albans Cathedral, renowned as Britain’s oldest site of Christian worship, the Verulamium Museum, the Roman Theatre of Verulamium, The Roman Mosaic and Hypocaust, and St. Albans Museum & Gallery.

Factors such as these attract thousands of people to the city yearly, which means investors may have some luck with short-term rental properties.

St. Albans maintains a friendly and cosy ambience despite being a city. It boasts unique independent shops, inviting pubs and restaurants, and a vibrant cultural scene. A few years ago, the Times newspaper named St. Albans the best place to live in the South-East.

Proximity to London

St. Albans is conveniently placed for travelling into London, appealing to people who want to be close to the capital but enjoy a quieter atmosphere.

The most common mode of transport is by train, with frequent services from St. Albans to London St. Pancras International. The journey takes approximately 20 minutes.

St. Albans is also commutable by car. Commuters can reach the centre of London via the M1 in just over an hour.

Good Local Education Options

The diverse selection of schools in St. Albans contributes to its appeal among families looking to buy or rent properties. Among the prominent independent schools in the area are St. Albans School, St. Albans High School for Girls, and St. Columba’s College.

In recent years, St. Albans has seen a greater influx of off-plan developments, particularly in the form of new high-rise apartment buildings, such as the upcoming Verla in the city centre.

Off-plan investment entails investors purchasing property directly from developers at a discounted price. These properties typically boast contemporary amenities and fixtures constructed in compliance with the latest EPC regulations. Such features are appealing to tenants seeking to minimise their energy expenses.

As mentioned, new-build investment opportunities are somewhat limited in St. Albans. Therefore, investors may find a more diverse range of off-plan investment options that are more concentrated in urban cities where capital appreciation and rental demand are more guaranteed.