Insurance News Archive

Immigrant influx "beneficial" for landlords

The influx of eastern European workers has been "particularly beneficial" for landlords, UCB Home Loans has suggested.

According to the group, most of the estimated 600,000 workers who entered the UK between 2004 and 2006 to work are renting, forming an important source of rental demand for buy-to-let landlords in many parts of the country.

Keith Astill, managing director at UCB Home Loans, said this was because it had helped to keep void periods to a minimum, as well as maintaining reasonable rent levels.

Restrictions on the entry of Bulgarian and Romanian immigrants to the country were also extremely unlikely to create a downturn in the market, Mr Astill said.

"If the number of people coming to the UK does ever begin to fall, it is likely the government will alter regulations to enable workers from other European countries to take their place," Mr Astill added.

The group believes that some of the best areas in the UK to rent a buy-to-let property include Brighton, Aberdeen, Watford, Exeter and London.

16 Nov 2006