City Flats Are Back - landlords buy urban units as of...

UK landlords are doubling down on urban flats amidst a slow but definite return to conventional office working.

Data from Shawbrook Bank suggests that some 28 per cent of landlords responding to a survey say that flats in cities are now the best investment - a similar number believe they will be the best investment in the near future too.

Recent data from a range of sources suggest jay around 43 per cent of workers are now back to largely conventional office working.

Emma Cox, managing director of real estate at Shawbrook Bank, says: “The end of ‘the flight to the countryside’ and resurgence of city living post-pandemic has not gone over landlords’ heads as investment in urban properties has gained strong momentum. Whilst the property market still remains turbulent, with high interest rates and inflation impacting buyers, landlords are adapting their strategies to diversify and stay on par with changing trends.

“Now may also be the right time for professional landlords to partner with a specialist lender, to maximise opportunities available and future-proof businesses against any further market challenges.”

The bank’s survey of landlords also suggests that even those advocating investment in non-flats still want city properties - 21 per cent believe semis in the city are best, while another 18 per cent favour student accommodation.

More widely, the number of landlords that agreed that flats in cities were the best investment is even higher in areas such as London (30 per cent), Scotland (39 per cent), and Wales (28 per cent).

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