Jamie’s Viewpoint – November 2021

Demand for rental properties has surged in South Wales over the past 18 months, even remaining steady through the lockdowns, with key worker relocation and relationship breakdown being two examples across a broad spectrum of reasons for people needing to move. This demand, coupled with a lack of supply, has led to an unprecedented rise in rental values.

Over the last year, the average rent achieved for new lets in Newport was £710 per calendar month, while in Cardiff it was £802; this represents impressive year-on-year increases of 12% and 4% respectively. 37% of those properties in Newport were flats, achieving an average of £608. By contrast, 70% in Cardiff were flats, achieving an average of £782. Houses achieved an average of £781 and £840 respectively.*

For existing and new landlords alike, these figures translate into excellent yields, particularly in Newport, where sale prices still represent excellent value for money. A lack of suitable stock is a perennial problem, but there is a huge opportunity for investors in the form of land for build-to-let development, and existing structures, such as pubs, hotels, and offices, suitable for change of use.

Although things are steadily returning to a pre-COVID state, remote working has become more prevalent, incentivising professional tenants to move to more affordable areas with less concern about the length of their commute. For those who still have to visit the office, South Wales has increasingly good transport links to Bristol and London – and everywhere in between – with the Great Western Railway benefiting from new rolling stock and optimised timetables. The South Wales Metro has also been given the go-ahead, creating exciting prospects for the cities and valleys alike.

Brexit and the government’s response to COVID have both had an impact on migration, both domestically and internationally. Visible shortages of workers have been evident in logistics and distribution – as well as in the steadily reopening hospitality and tourism sectors – as the workforce adapts to the changing economic landscape. We have also seen steady immigration of skilled and professional workers in the healthcare, engineering and technology sectors, complementing the extant audience of quality tenants we have. We have continued to ensure that our referencing and vetting standards are high, with our key aim to ensure that the risk of dilapidation and rent arrears is mitigated to the greatest extent possible.

Rent increases have a ceiling, however, especially in the context of inflation as a whole. The costs of utilities, fuel and groceries have all increased significantly over the same period, and we must be conscious of our tenants’ affordability ceiling, particularly if we consider rising personal indebtedness and wage inflation not keeping pace. More than ever, our Rent Protection service is a must-have for landlords, and our offering now provides greater peace of mind. Click here to find out more.

* Source: Dataloft Rental Market Analytics