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Over the past five years, Huddersfield’s
rental market has undergone a major transformation — and if you’re a
landlord, these trends matter more than ever.
From 2020 to 2025, the average monthly
rent in Huddersfield surged from £585 to £805 — a 37%
increase. That’s even higher than the 35%
national rise over the same period (from £1,331 to
£1,803). Regionally, rents in Yorkshire and the Humber climbed 32%, from
£757 to £1,003.
So, how does this affect you as a
landlord? Let’s take a closer look.
📈 Rents Rising, But Caution Creeping In
Despite the strong upward trend, not all
landlords are having it their way. As affordability tightens, some have
had to cut asking rents — with 24%
of listings across the UK undergoing price adjustments in
2025 alone. Still, Huddersfield tenants are paying substantially
more than they were five years ago, even as the pace of
increases slows.
🏘 Supply Hasn't Kept Up
While rents have gone up, supply
has edged down. Here’s the average number of new rental
listings per month in Huddersfield over the last six years:
- 2020: 255
- 2021: 222
- 2022: 235
- 2023: 252
- 2024: 231
- 2025: 230
And while we’re back to seasonal peaks in
spring
and early autumn — especially October,
thanks to the student market — the pandemic-era disruption still echoes
in lower
year-round volumes.
Nationally, rental availability remains over
25% below pre-Covid levels, keeping the pressure on.
👀 What’s
Happening Right Now in Huddersfield?
Agents across town are still seeing strong
demand, even if the frenzy of 2022–23 has eased.
Good-quality listings are attracting multiple
enquiries, thanks in part to Huddersfield's relative
affordability compared to nearby cities.
Vacancy rates remain low. And while
supply is inching up, the gap between supply and demand
remains significant.
Unless that changes, rents are likely to
keep rising — albeit more gradually. My forecast for Huddersfield? Another
3% to 4% growth in 2025.
🔍 2025 Outlook: The Pressures and Possibilities for
Landlords
Here’s what Huddersfield landlords need
to watch in the year ahead — both the challenges
and the opportunities.
⚠️ The Key
Challenges
1. Big
Regulatory Changes Are Coming
The Renters’
Reform Bill could be a game-changer. It’s set to scrap
Section 21 “no-fault” evictions and strengthen tenant protections — a
major concern for landlords dealing with difficult tenancies.
Plus, changes to EPC
regulations could force landlords to invest heavily in
older properties to meet energy standards.
2. Finance
and Maintenance Costs Are Up
Buy-to-let mortgage rates have jumped from 2–3%
post-pandemic to 5%+ by 2024. While the Bank of England’s
recent rate drop to 4.25% offers
slight relief, inflation has pushed maintenance
costs higher. Landlords now spend around 20%
of rental income on upkeep.
3. Tax
Is Squeezing Yields
The removal of mortgage interest relief,
tougher Capital Gains Tax rules, and the
looming Making Tax Digital rollout are all
eating into profits — especially for higher-rate taxpayers.
In fact, 15.6% of homes
listed for sale in Q1 2025 were previously rented
properties — up from 9.8% a year earlier — a sign that some landlords are
deciding it's no longer worth it.
4. Tenant
Expectations Are Rising
Today’s renters want more: better insulation, fast broadband,
modern kitchens, and bathrooms. And with the
cost-of-living squeeze, arrears remain a risk
— especially for landlords managing tenancies themselves.
🌟 The Opportunities
1. Demand
Remains Strong
Huddersfield continues to offer good value for money,
attracting young professionals, families, and students.
Well-maintained homes are letting quickly with minimal voids.
2. Yields
Are Better Than They’ve Been in Years
With rents at historic highs, gross yields are strong,
especially for landlords with little or no mortgage debt. Even those with
mortgages are faring well if they've kept borrowing under control.
3. Less
Competition
As some landlords exit the market, those who remain are seeing less
competition and better returns. There are even portfolio
acquisition opportunities for landlords looking to grow —
often with tenants already in place. (If you’re interested, I’m happy to
consult our landlord database to find available properties.)
🧠 Final Thoughts
for Huddersfield Landlords
Huddersfield’s rental market continues to
evolve — and while it’s not without challenges, there are
still excellent opportunities for informed and proactive landlords.
If you're managing your own properties or
using another letting agent and want to talk strategy — from pricing to
compliance to tenant retention — I’d love to help.
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