IT MIGHT not be the most popular thing to say right now, but people are going to get bonuses this year. In the years preceding 2008, the bonus season meant one thing in London – a boost to the buy-to-let property market as bankers sunk their money into bricks and mortar. The world has changed since the boom years, but if you are in line for a pay-check soon, is buy-to-let still a sensible option?

According to a new survey carried out by the Property Investor Show and OPP Live, yes it is. A nationwide survey of 93 sales agents said that they had seen an increase in demand for properties in the past six months.

Figures from estate agent Winkworth say that in London rents fell 10 and 12 per cent for flats and houses respectively between October 2008 and June 2009, but that since then rents have begun to level out, and have even increased in areas such as Harringay, Edgware and Clerkenwell. The fall has been greater for houses than flats. Winkworth also says that rental stock levels (for both flats and houses) have decreased by almost 10 per cent since January this year. As supply falls and demand rises, prices have stabilised, and the agent believes that they will soon bottom out.

Share This