The Best Areas for Buy to Let in the UK

Buy-to-Let Opportunities in Manchester

Well-known in the property investment world, buying a buy-to-let in Manchester is consistently one of the best investment areas in the UK.

The city remains one of the best options, topping our Best Buy-to-Let Areas in the UK for 2025 list.

As property prices in the entire North West region are predicted by Savills to increase by 29.4% across the next five years, there would be little surprise if Manchester was the one leading the way.

The city has transformed significantly over the years, and property prices have increased considerably. Recent Land Registry data showed that Manchester homes saw one of the highest price increases between September 2003 and September 2024, with a rise of around 160.42%, from £96,240 to £250,623.

A solid competitor to London– perhaps sometimes even eclipsing it entirely – all signs seem to point to a rise in capital appreciation returns, rivalling its impressive increase between 2017 and 2018.

Manchester is one of the top destinations for young professionals, with impressive global business and employment growth of 84% between 2002 and 2015.

Major Manchester regeneration schemes in the area, like MediaCityUK and Spinningfields, have brought massive growth to the city, with both employers and workers flocking to the city due to the fantastic opportunities on offer.

Check out our in-depth look at the Best Buy-to-Let Areas in Manchester for more.

Buy-to-Let Opportunities in Liverpool

With comparatively low housing prices and massive rental demand, property investment in Liverpool is a huge market. The Land Registry reports that the average property price in the city is currently over £100k under the national average, proving the North-West city’s high affordability!

Regeneration efforts have helped the city blossom into an economic powerhouse – and a very profitable one at that.

Liverpool also boasts some of the most impressive investment properties for sale, with high rental yields that are almost impossible to ignore.

And, since rental yields are such an integral part of any buy-to-let property investment, it’s not hard to see why Liverpool is deemed a top property hotspot.

Zoopla states that Liverpool has some of the highest rental yields in the North West, with their data showing an average of 7.44% for Liverpool rental properties.

Some postcodes, like the city centre L1 area, have even higher rental yields, thanks to the high demand for rental property close to the major employers and various attractions in the centre of Liverpool.

Combine this with the several top universities in the city, and renters of all classes are flocking to the city, making it a top choice for buy to let properties in Liverpool.

The city has continuously been on an uphill trajectory, maintaining its top reputation throughout the pandemic and beyond thanks to the high affordability, lower-than-average rent and fantastic house price growth.

Since 2019, property prices in Liverpool have risen significantly by an average of 35.94%, with the typical property in the area selling for £185,535 as of September 2024 (the latest available Land Registry data).

The property market has remained resilient throughout the past few years. According to Land Registry data, despite the turbulence of the pandemic, average UK house prices rose to over £300k in 2022, an all-time high.

Huge capital appreciation is expected over the coming years, making now more than ever a great time to invest and take advantage of affordable prices and enhanced returns.

According to Savills, capital growth across the UK is expected to rise by 23.4% by 2028. Regions like the North West are projected to see even higher growth, with values predicted to increase by 29.4% in the next 4 years.

Zoopla reports that despite UK rental inflation now at 5.4% (the lowest level in three years), rental demand is still likely to remain above average. Their data suggests that the competition for rented homes is still at twice pre-pandemic levels, with Zoopla anticipating demand to remain elevated well into 2025.

With a sustained imbalance between demand and supply for rental properties, quality new-build developments are likely to thrive thanks to the premium features they include, such as outdoor spaces and onsite amenities such as gyms and laundries.

With property investment, it’s always essential to keep up to date with the latest developments.

The best buy-to-let areas in previous years are not necessarily the best buy-to-let areas in the UK for 2025.

While stats are helpful, they shouldn’t be your only reason to invest in a specific city.

Most importantly, there isn’t one best place to invest in property.

You should consider this list a good starting point, as well as reading external RWinvest reviews, assessing the investment opportunities in each city, and finding one that matches your goals.

Research every aspect of a potential investment area thoroughly before making any final decision – if you put the work in, then the best place to buy property, UK or not, will show its head.