Bolton Buy-to-Let Guide

As mentioned, Bolton’s property prices are much lower than the national average.

HM Land Registry’s UK House Price Index listed Bolton’s average property price at £188,897 in October 2023.

Detached homes cost an average of £342,320. Semi-detached houses cost £202,995. Terraced properties offer excellent value at £149,471. Meanwhile, flats cost £113,567.

According to the same index, the national average is £287,782, making Bolton over £80k cheaper than the UK as a whole.

In addition, Rightmove states that terraced properties were the most popular properties for sale.

With North West capital growth expected to rise by 20.2%, buy-to-let investors may see healthy returns on a Bolton property.

Learn More: Whether you’re interested in Manchester new-build investment or looking at buying property as a company, our updated guides have everything you need to start investing!

Bolton’s numerous districts offer varying property prices, rental yields and tenant benefits.

Heaton

Heaton is just north of Bolton town centre. This suburb is primarily residential, sits on the slopes of the Pennine Moors, and offers plenty of green views. Heaton has good schools, public parks, wildlife reserves and excellent access to the town centre. It appeals to students from the University of Bolton and the University of Manchester, families, and young professionals.

Average Property Prices in Heaton

Property prices in BL1 are £203,408.

Average Rental Yields in Heaton

The average rental yield in BL1 is 4.3%.

Kearsley sits to the south of Bolton. It is a small town with good connections to Bolton and Manchester. Kearsley is conveniently located between Bolton, Manchester and Bury. It is one of Bolton’s most sought-after areas due to its excellent value properties. It is close to Clifton Country Park.

Average Property Prices in Kearsley

The average property price in BL4 is £169,923.

Average Rental Yields in Kearsley

The average rental yield in Kearsley is 5.3%.

(Average property prices were taken from Rightmove in late 2023, and gross rental yield estimates were calculated with figures from housesforsaletorent.co.uk in late 2023)

Recently, in Bolton, there has been an increase in new homes being built as demand for good quality housing continues to outpace supply across the UK.

In October 2023, data from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities show that 120 new homes were built in Bolton in the three months leading up to June. This is a slight increase compared to the same period in 2022, which saw 110 developments completed.

While new-build properties usually see higher prices than typical residential properties, this investment strategy has continued to grow in popularity over the last few years – for several reasons.

Most notably, as the developments are freshly built, they usually require less maintenance and upkeep from landlords. Along the same lines, with a contemporary design and the latest amenities, a new-build property will typically see increased demand from tenants – particularly the young professional demographic.

So, is Bolton one of the best places to buy to let in the UK?

While Bolton’s property prices are attractive, rental yields leave a lot to be desired. The national average rental yield sits around 5.2%. However, many parts of Bolton fail to meet this average.

Interestingly, Liverpool – another city in the North West – offers much better yields, with some areas exceeding 8%. According to HM Land Registry, Liverpool also has a lower average property price than Bolton – £177,224. It is also a desirable place to live, with four top universities in the region, a thriving nightlife scene and plenty of things to do.

Further Reading: Delve deeper into the North West market with our 2024 guide to Bootle Property Investment!