Leeds is one of the fastest-growing cities in the UK. It’s a key player in the Northern Powerhouse with large investment projects leading the way in city-wide regeneration. As well as exciting residential developments in the South Bank, Northern Quarter, East Bank and beyond, there are currently £7.35billion of commercial property schemes underway and in the pipeline. Between 2018 and 2019, overseas investment into new Leeds projects grew by 11%.
Leeds is a truly vibrant city. Its flourishing cultural scene means there is something for everyone , and makes it a thoroughly exciting place for property investment opportunities.
As well as a number of galleries, theatres, cinemas and sports venues, Leeds is also home to an eclectic mix of independent shops, restaurants and bars. This makes it one of the most culturally rich places to live, work and invest.
Property prices in Leeds are less than the UK average and fall far below London , at just £225,000 compared to £595,443 in the capital. Such affordable property means high rental yields for buy-to-let investors, reaching as high as 8% in some areas. It is no wonder that Leeds was named the north’s most profitable place to be a landlord.
Leeds is also primed to benefit from excellent capital appreciation of 20% over the next few years as the city continues to boom.
With so much to offer, the Leeds population is booming. With over 800,000 people living in Leeds today, it is the second most populated metropolitan borough in the country. Its population has grown by an average 1.1% each year for the past nine years, and as the city gains popularity this isn’t set to slow down any time soon.
Leeds is the jewel of West Yorkshire. It is the region’s commercial and financial hub and is one of the UK’s most exciting cities in which to live, work, and invest in property. As well as being a popular residential and employment location for people from the region, Leeds is also one of the top picks for people leaving London for a better quality of life.
This high level of demand has resulted in excellent returns from a property investment here. Rents in Leeds rose by 4.5% during 2019, while property prices themselves grew by 4%. Property prices are expected to increase by 20% by 2022, with rents growing by 18.8%
A booming population means a large workforce, and Leeds is no exception. It is the largest employment centre outside of London, with an active workforce of 498,000 – almost a third of whom are key workers.
The number of people working in Leeds is expected to increase by 6.5% - or 25,000 – over the next decade. This is above the UK average of 5% and higher than most other major UK cities.
The sectors set to see the biggest workforce booms are accommodation and food at 7% growth, financial services at 9% growth, and construction at 7% growth.
Housing is not being built fast enough to keep up with this increasing demand. At the beginning of 2020, the population of Leeds stood at 789,000 while the number of properties in the city was less than 355,000. This gap is only expected to widen during as time goes on.
A shortfall in supply helps create some of the best conditions and opportunities for property investments, leading to growing rents, high returns, and fully tenanted properties.
There is a reason Leeds was recently named one of the most profitable place to be a landlord, and that is thanksto its stand-out levels of rental returns.
Rental yields from buy-to-let property investments in Leeds can reach as high as nearly 8% in some postcodes, particularly in and around the city centre. This is over double the UK average of 3.5%. Even the overall average rental yield in Leeds of 4.3% fairs better than the UK average.
There some truly impressive property investment opportunities in Leeds, from rejuvenated listed buildings to modern new-builds, each promising high returns on investment.
It is no surprise that rental yields are so far above the UK average once you consider the region’s affordable prices, high demand, and strong market growth.
Due to the large variety of people living in Leeds, there really is a property investment opportunity for everyone here. From students, to young professionals, to families, the Leeds rental market is large, diverse and growing, and is generating a rising demand for good quality rental homes.
As more people move from London and other parts of the country to Leeds, this demand is only set to become stronger. In the five years from 2013, the number of people relocating to Leeds from the capital has increased by 58%.
New property development has been unable to keep up with this demand, making Leeds have some of the country’s best property investments for rental yields, rental growth and capital growth.
With a booming population, strong economy, growing industry and high levels of investment, Leeds definitely has all the right ingredients for excellent capital growth in its property market.
The Leeds property market has been one of the best in the country for capital price growth in recent years. Between 2018 and 2019, the city’s average house price rose by 4.4%, compared to 2.2% for the UK as a whole.
This trend is set to continue, with Leeds being named one of the UK’s top cities for house price growth potential. Even the twin challenges of Brexit and the coronavirus pandemic haven’t been able to weaken the city’s property market. Leeds still has one of the strongest growth forecasts at a fantastic 13.7% until the end of 2024.
The rising property prices in Leeds hasn’t led to property becoming any less affordable, with house prices here still much below the UK average. This makes Leeds a great prospect for people both new and experienced in the world of property investment.
The average property price in Leeds as of May 2020 was £169,700. This is compared to a UK average of £231,855. Even the best parts of Leeds for property investments fall far below the UK average, with city centre properties priced at an average of just £179,183, and at £216,739 in the student hotspot of Headingley.
The north of Leeds city centre – an area which encompasses the Northern Quarter – is one of the most vibrant and trendy parts of the city.
This area of Leeds is very popular for both students and young professionals, thanks to its wealth of amenities and entertainment options. As well as being home to a large number of bars, restaurants, cafes and shops, the northern area of Leeds is full of galleries and theatres and is close to the city’s universities and hospitals.
This is a great area for new-build student property investments. Many of the new purpose-built student housing is being developed here, which is becoming increasingly popular with both UK and international students.
Average property prices for new builds in the north of Leeds city centre start at £140,000 and average rental yields are 6%. High growth and a high rate of tenancies are expected here.
To the east of the city centre is the Leeds Climate Innovation District. This part of Leeds is undergoing rapid development and is home to many of the city’s most exciting projects.
Just three of these projects are the stunning CITU development, which is bringing Scandinavian-inspired sustainable housing to Leeds; the ground-breaking SOYO project, the biggest housing project in Leeds for over a decade; and the Aire Park regeneration, which will provide an abundance of green space to Leeds visitors and residents.
The Leeds Victoria Gate shopping centre is also located to the east of the city centre, making it a popular place for locals and visitors alike.
This is a really exciting area for property investment opportunities. The average new build property price in this area starts at £145,000 and buy-to-let investors here can expect yields of 6% with high growth and few voids.
The south of Leeds city centre is where you can find the inspirational South Bank redevelopment scheme. This major project will double the size of Leeds city centre, bringing with it 8,000 new homes and 35,000 new jobs.
At 253 hectares (625 acres), the South Bank project covers an area the size of 350 football pitches. The scheme aims to redevelop this part of Leeds while retaining the area’s industrial heritage and sense of community.
There are 1,000 new homes in the pipeline at Tower Works, Iron Works and Dandara, with major regeneration work at the vacant Tetley Brewery Site planned as well.
South Bank will also be the home of the new HS2 railway station in Leeds. Trains from here will dramatically cut journey times to London to under 90 minutes, making it a popular location for professionals.
The average new build price in the south of Leeds city centre starts at £160,000. Rental yields can reach as high as 6% with high capital growth and few untenanted properties.
The western area of Leeds city centre is the city’s financial district. It is the home of the Wellington Place Masterplan, which will create 1.9 million sq ft of commercial, retail, leisure and residential space.
The Wellington Place Masterplan comprises a number of buildings, each connected by wide pedestrianised spaces. The unique architecture makes this part of Leeds truly eye-catching and enjoyable.
The west of Leeds city centre is an area popular with professionals, and so is a good option for people interested in property investments tenanted by this market.
Average property prices for new builds start at £150,000 here, with rental yields reaching 5.8%. West Leeds city centre is also forecast for high growth and has a low rate of voids.
Link to July article 9. Centenary House in Leeds Northern Quarter is Sold Out
With the largest employment centre outside of London and a fast-growing workforce of almost half a million people, Leeds is one of the most popular places for young professionals. For those interested in owning a buy-to-let property tenanted by this demographic, Leeds is one of the best cities in which to invest.
Leeds is home to numerous large employers, with more and more moving their offices to the city. Leeds boasts an average salary of £28,000 and a low cost of living (a person would need to earn over 1.6 times more in London than Leeds to have the same quality of life), making it hugely attractive for young professionals.
When looking for somewhere to live, the requirements at the top of young professionals’ lists are location, quality, and good amenities. To appeal to this market, it is important to make sure a Leeds property investment has such features, with new build developments being most likely to tick these boxes.
Being close to employers and the city centre is always a good selling point when renting to young professionals. Recent findings show that outdoor areas are also important, so investing in a property either near green space or with its own outdoor facilities is recommended. Luckily, a huge number of Leeds areas and new developments satisfy these needs.
Leeds is one of the UK’s top choices for both national and international students. At any one time, there are 60,000 students in the city, including 9,000 international students from 170 different countries.
With students making up 13% of the Leeds population, this city is a safe choice for property investors targeting the student demographic.
There are 9 universities in Leeds, including the globally-ranked Leeds University, which is located between Headingley and Holbeck. The campus of the popular Leeds Beckett University is also situated in this area, while Leeds Trinity University can be found in the suburb of Horsforth.
Tenancies in Leeds student property investments don’t necessarily end when studies do. Leeds has a good graduate retention rate of 30% with almost a third of people choosing to remain in the city after graduation.
The Leeds South Bank development is one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken in Leeds. Led by CEG, it will double the size of the city centre, transforming an area the size of 350 football pitches into a brand new, exciting part of Leeds to live, work, and enjoy.
The South Bank is quickly becoming one of the best places in Leeds for a property investment, especially for the buy-to-let market. There are over 8,000 new homes being built here, so there are plenty of property investment opportunities at the South Bank site.
With 35,000 new jobs being created in the area, as well as fantastic amenities including numerous shops, restaurants, bars and fitness facilities, rental demand at Leeds South Bank will be high. It is also the proposed site for the new HS2 railway station, making it a prime location for commuters.
Rejuvenation is the main form of regeneration at the Northern Quarter. Many of the area’s historic Victorian buildings – such as Hamilton House & Merchants House – have undergone major redevelopment with projects which have completely transformed the area. Other infill projects have created new-build property developments, perfect for Leeds property investments.
With huge levels of investment into the Northern Quarter, it is now one of the most vibrant parts of Leeds.
The Northern Quarter is home to many of the city’s cultural hubs including the Belgrave Music Hall. Shoppers can visit the Grand Arcade for independent retail outlets, or the Victoria Gate shopping centre for famous high street brands.
This part of Leeds is very popular with both students and young professionals, and is a great option for property investments targeted at these demographics. It is where you’ll find most of the city’s purpose-built student accommodation, including the VITA Student, Unite Student, and YPP developments.
Strategically located in the heart of the Leeds cultural quarter is the SOYO project. This development scheme will create a brand new community in Leeds with a focus on heritage, culture, and creativity.
Led by Moda Living, the five-year SOYO project champions the Leeds independent scene and will transform the area into a new place to live, work and play. Once complete, SOYO will be home to 106,000 sq ft of offices, 35,000s q ft leisure space, over 700 residential units, a multi-storey car park, 7,500sq ft retail facilities, a medical centre and a number of welcoming public squares.
SOYO is perfectly placed to be extremely popular with all kinds of residents, but especially students and professionals. Leeds City College has a campus in the SOYO development, while the Department for Work & Pensions, Department of Health, Leeds College of Music and Leeds Playhouse have premises next-door.
The Leeds Climate Innovation District is leading the way in building zero-carbon neighbourhoods for healthier, smarter and better connected cities.
This is a ground-breaking project and a key part of the Leeds South Bank scheme. The £125million development by Citu will completely transform 15 acres of brownfield land into an environmentally-friendly part of the city with 500 new sustainable homes, as well as manufacturing, leisure and office spaces.
As well as environmental innovation, community is another focus of this project. Its affordable housing and nearby schools will bring families back into Leeds city centre. Local job opportunities will also attract professionals to live in the district’s Scandinavian-inspired, eco-friendly homes.
Another important part of the wider South Bank regeneration project is Aire Park.
Led by Vastint UK, Aire Park will develop 3.5 hectares of old industrial space into a stunning local park surrounded by new commercial and residential space. The project will bring up to 500 new homes, 1,500 sq mt of office space, 700 sq mt of fitness facilities and a 1.1 hectare city park to the centre of Leeds.
Located in the heart of the South Bank area, Aire Park will become one of the new cultural hubs of Leeds. The Tetley Art Gallery – which itself is the result of the regeneration of the historical Tetley brewery building – is located here, while Aire Park itself will be home to a new outdoor theatre.
Like the Climate Innovation District, Ironworks is another sustainable housing project in the heart of Leeds. Located in Holbeck and part of the wider Holbeck Urban Village regeneration scheme, Ironworks encompasses a real village feel and is yet just a 7 minute walk to Leeds train station.
68 striking, modern homes have been built at Ironworks, each energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly. There are numerous independent eateries, pubs and shops in the area, as well as fitness facilities and a community of creative businesses.
Mustard Wharf is a new-build development especially designed for modern life. Situated in the South Bank area, this building of one, two, and three bedroom boutique apartments is perfect for professional tenants wanting an exceptional living standard in the centre of Leeds.
The amenities on offer at Mustard Wharf include an onsite gym, superfast broadband, work areas, outdoor roof areas, private dining spaces, and even an exclusive clubhouse. Every apartment is completed to the highest quality, with designer furniture and tasteful decorative choices.
Already one of the employment hubs of Leeds, the continued development of Wellington Place alongside the River Aire will further develop a district for people to work, play, and live.
Wellington Place is already home to some of the city’s biggest employers, including Sky Betting & Gaming, HMRC and Shulmans. With plans to increase office space by adding a further six buildings to the area, even more top companies will be able to move to Wellington Place.
There will also be a huge variety of fitness and leisure facilities, shops, bars and restaurants at Wellington Place. A 200-apartment development will house Leeds residents, while visitors can stay in a new 230-bedroom hotel and park in the 500-space multi-storey car park.
A brand new city-centre train station is currently being built for the much-publicised HS2 railway line. Located in the new South Bank district, the HS2 station further establishes Leeds as a key Northern Powerhouse city and a business hub.
The main benefit of HS2 in Leeds is the drastic reduction in journey times. As well as cutting journey times between Leeds and other key northern cities, the travel time between Leeds and London will be reduced by 30 minutes.
HS2 will also bring a new £80million depot to the Leeds region. Alongside the University of Leeds’ new institute for high speed rail, this depot will spearhead engineering research in the UK.
This £450million project will radically revamp the Leeds General Infirmary site into new adults’ and children’s hospitals, as well as creating a 650-space multi-storey car park.
Spanning 990,000 sq ft over 15 storeys, this 10-year project will transform healthcare in Leeds. Located in the city centre, the new hospital will strengthen ties between medical facilities, universities and the council. This will boost the city’s position at the forefront of research, health innovation and learning in the UK and continue to ensure Leeds is a top choice for investments.
The modern, sweeping façade and bright and airy interior spaces will help create a sense of calm for patients. The hospitals are due to open at the end of 2025.
Leeds Trinity Shopping Centre is a project that has already been completed and proves the success of development and investment in Leeds.
Opened in 2013, the centrally-located Leeds Trinity Shopping centre transformed a neglected shopping precinct into 1,000,000 sq ft of modern retail space. The new shopping centre offers a first-rate shopping experience, with over 120 stores, a cinema, and a unique food space hosting fixed vendors and ‘pop-up’ outlets.
With 23 million visitors each year, Leeds Trinity Shopping Centre is a very popular destination with the residents of Leeds and people further afield. The development also created 4,634 new jobs and now adds £209million to the city’s annual economy.
Following in the footsteps of Leeds Trinity Shopping Centre is the Victoria Gate shopping centre. Opening in 2016, this £165million development created a new covered shopping centre in the Grade II listed Victoria Quarter. The area is known as the ‘Knightsbridge of the North’ due to the wealth of luxury brands that have stores here.
The new Victoria Gate shopping centre is home to major names such as John Lewis & Partners, a number of eateries, a large multi-storey car park, a casino, and a public space at Templar Square. It is finished with a stunning stained glass roof that adds to its grand atmosphere.
The 658,000 sq ft space has 10,000,000 visitors each year and was named the world’s Best Shopping Centre at the internationally renowned MIPIM Awards in 2017.
Another completed project is the revamp of the Leeds railway station. This £161million redevelopment was part of a £500million transport masterplan for Leeds and was finished in 2019.
The project updated the Leeds Station building with a new roof, a new platform, and the pedestrianisation of the area outside of the station. A number of existing tracks and platforms have also been upgraded.
With more and more people travelling to and from Leeds by rail, the station’s redevelopment was a key part in making Leeds a world-class modern city. Leeds station is the busiest in the north and the third-biggest in the UK outside of London. Around 30,000,000 passengers use its services each year.
The Headrow Transport Initiative is a £20.7million scheme that will upgrade pedestrian, cycling, and public transport infrastructure in central Leeds. The project will improve congestion, reduce delays and improve bus reliability in the city.
The investment into Leeds transport infrastructure will improve the quality of life for people using its roads and paths. Safety will be enhanced for pedestrians and cyclists with new pedestrian crossings and cycling lanes. Bus users will see improvements in waiting facilities and fewer delayed services.
Another aim of the Headrow Transport Initiative is to improve the Leeds experience for visitors and locals, making it a more attractive place to work, live, and enjoy.
Location is one of the most important parts of investing in property. With so many opportunities for property investments in Leeds, you need to be sure you’re investing in the right place.
The kinds of questions you need to be asking yourself are: What kind of tenant do you want to rent to? Do you want to invest in an up-and-coming area or somewhere more established? Are you looking for a new-build buy-to-let property or something older?
To find out where would be right for you, take a look at our guide to the best areas to invest in property in Leeds.
Once you’ve decided on where in Leeds you want to invest in property, it’s a good idea to look into the redevelopment projects that are happening there.
A large number of quality projects identifies an area as being in prime position for regeneration and rejuvenation, all which can have a very positive effect on rental yields and capital growth.
Large scale investment in an area will also lead to that part of Leeds becoming more desirable for tenants, ensuring your property investment stays fully tenanted.
After you’ve found a property to invest in, you should research how the expected rental yields there compare to other rental properties in the area. Look at the rental prices of properties of a similar spec understand whether your estimated rents are achievable and what you can expect to generate.
You can also compare rents for similar buildings in different parts of Leeds to double-check you’re investing in the right part of the city for you.
As well as rental yields, it’s also important to check the service charges and ground rents you’ll be paying.
These charges often apply to new-build apartments and other leasehold properties. Ground rents are paid to the freeholder – the owner of the land on which the building sits – and is usually around £50 a year. Ground rents are paid annually, half-annually, or quarterly, and only need to be paid if you’re formally requested to by the freeholder.
There are two types of ground rents: fixed, which remain the same price for the duration of the lease period; and escalating, which increase during the lease period.
Service charges differ by property and pay for the general upkeep and repairs to the building. These usually rise each year so make sure you have found out what they are and budgeted for any increases.
The final thing you need to check before you complete your Leeds property investment is the developer’s track record. A good developer is one with experience, integrity, and who already own the land. This is especially important if you’re investing in an off-plan new-build property, as you may lose your deposit should the developer go bankrupt and fail to complete the project.
A good developer will also ensure an excellent build finish. An investment into a higher spec, better quality property will save you money on repairs in the long run. It will also be in more demand by tenants and will generate better rental yields.
At North Property Group we only partner with the best developers, so you can be assured that any investment through us is a secure investment in quality.
For a low-risk Leeds property investment, look no further than V2 Mansions. These 14 high-spec, boutique-style units were redeveloped in 2019 and are now fully tenanted.
Located in the popular Chapel Allerton suburb of Leeds, every detail of Public Haus has been thoughtfully designed for contemporary living. From the restored historic features to the stylish modern kitchens, apartments here are optimised for tenant satisfaction and long-term tenancies.
Investors into V2 Mansions can expect net yields of almost 6%. Unit prices start at £145,000 for a one-bedroom apartment with parking.
This award-winning development, also known as Waterfront Apartments or Riverside Apartments, is situated in the South Bank regeneration scheme alongside the River Aire.
Starting at just £142,500 and with expected yields of up to 7%, these high-spec apartments are sure to have high tenant demand.
With a stunning waterside location, low ground rents and a proven developer, these apartments are a fantastic option for buy-to-let property investments in Leeds. Victoria Riverside is due to complete in Q3 2020.
An exclusive development of just 54 luxury units, Northgate House is one of the most sought-after new-builds in Leeds.
Strategically-located in an investment hotspot just 3 miles from the Universities of Leeds and close to major employers, rental yields here are expected to reach almost 7%. Apartments start at £144,500 and come fully fitted with premium kitchens, luxury bathroom suites and stylish lighting. Secure underground parking for all apartments is also included in the purchase.
Ready now and built by an established developer, Northgate House is one of the best Leeds property investments whether you’re interested in renting to students or professionals.
Already proving itself very popular with property investors and owner-occupiers, Public Haus is located just a stone’s throw from the city centre in the South Bank area of Leeds.
The 16 high-end, modern two-bedroom apartments start at £188,500 with low service charges and expected yields reaching almost 7%. The stunning views of the Leeds city centre skyline, private terraces, and onsite parking, mean these high-spec, fully-finished properties are already in high demand.
Public Haus was completed at the end of 2019 and there are now just a few units remaining for property investment here.
North Property Group is a member of the Property Ombudsman.