Located in the heart of the north-west, St Helens is a large town with a rich past, traditionally famed for its coal mining and glass-making industries, and its fondness for rugby league. But aside from industrial heritage and a high-flying rugby team, why are many investors opting to buy-to-let in the east side of Merseyside?
Here at our lettings agents in Warrington, located just a stone’s throw away from St Helens, our property professionals are local experts with extensive knowledge of St Helens town. Throughout this article, they explain all there is to know about why this area is a great option for budding landlords looking to open or add to their property portfolio.
Is letting in St Helens a good investment?
If you’re unsure whether a buy-to-let in St Helens will be worth it for your pocket, the following benefits should paint a clearer picture of the current state of the local rental market, and why St Helens should be on your radar.
1. Houses are more affordable in St Helens
According to Property Investment UK, property in St Helens is around 40% cheaper than the national average house price.
There are various property types to invest in available in St Helens, including terraced houses, or semi-detached and detached houses in housing estates within the surrounding townships.
The most affordable properties are located in the town centre, Thatto Heath, Clock Face, and Sutton.
On the other hand, the most expensive house prices are in the Eccleston, Windle, and West Park areas of St Helens, which are much higher than the average for St Helens.
2. Solid rental yields
Due to the affordability of St Helens properties and higher rent costs, landlords can expect a solid rental yield from their investment – currently between 4-5%.
Rent prices are sky-high across this region, with the average private monthly rent sitting at £672 in April 2024, a 6.9% rise compared to last year according to the Office for National Statistics.
These excessive costs are due to supply and demand – the volume of people looking to rent significantly outweighs the availability of houses for rent, and scarcity increases value.
3. Your property won’t stay vacant for long
Due to the competitiveness of the rental market, there will always be someone looking to live in your property, ensuring a monthly income for the foreseeable future.
Plus, as there are fewer rental properties available, your tenants will likely want to stay long-term, saving you the rigmarole of having to find new tenants more frequently!
4. You can select your ideal tenant in St Helens
One of the most beneficial results of an exceedingly competitive rental market is the freedom to choose your preferred tenant from a list of potential candidates.
This is great news, as you won’t have to accept a renter who doesn’t fit your criteria.
So, what is attracting so many renters to St Helens?
Renting in St Helens is appealing to people for numerous reasons, including its proximity to the major cities of Liverpool and Manchester and good standard schools.
What’s more, St Helens council announced an investment of £69.2 million into the town centre, which is sure to bring more businesses, and as a result, more people looking to move to the area for work.
Plus, new amenities, restaurants, and shops are attractive features people seek in a living area, which will also help to create a wider tenant pool.
Are there any risks associated with buying-to-let in St Helens?
Buying-to-let is very lucrative in St Helens – however, there are some financial and general property management considerations to think about before you invest.
Firstly, due to rising living costs, you could end up with tenants who struggle to make their rental payments down the line, hurting your income and putting you in a difficult position.
Secondly, landlord duties can be very full-on and time-consuming, especially for landlords managing multiple properties. Keeping track of legal obligations and property maintenance, dealing with tenants, and ensuring monthly rent is paid are just some tasks you’ll need to complete throughout a tenancy.
Make your life easier with property management services in St Helens
Whether you’re at the very beginning of your property journey or are looking to add to your portfolio, our property management services are available in the local area of St Helens.
Our letting agents in Warrington offer two exceptional property management packages: our Let Only and Full Management services.
Our qualified professionals can help you with finding tenants, collecting monthly rent payments, and organising your tenancy agreement documentation – all thanks to our efficient service.
Why choose Easylet for landlord support?
Here at Easylet Residential, we’re a nearby letting agent in Warrington, consisting of a team of local property experts with extensive knowledge of St Helens and the lettings process.
Our dedicated agents always provide helpful advice and brilliant service, which has resulted in an array of happy customers over our many years in the industry. Our landlord clients include those who own one property and those owning numerous properties.
Contact us today and we’ll explain all there is to know about our excellent landlord support packages – or you can visit us in branch!
