Considering we are a quarter of the way through 2015, I was talking to a landlord from Ewell the
other day about what is happening to the level of rents that are being achieved in the Epsom
property market.
In terms of rents in Epsom, it appears that rents being achieved for new rentals (i.e. when the tenant
moves out and new tenant moves in) have risen in the order of 3.8% in the last 12 months on top of
the range, modern properties, yet remained static for older Victorian terraced houses and converted
apartments. However, landlords with existing sitting tenants, irrespective of age are not increasing
their rents, as most landlords prefer to keep their existing tenant paying the same rent and have the
peace of mind that their tenant remains, paying the rent (thus reducing the risk of a void period).
That said, we always recommend renewals in line with RPI increases.
It must be remembered rents dropped by 2% over 2008/9, due to oversupply in the rental market in
2009.) A lot of the people who couldn’t sell their property in Epsom in 2008/9 when the Credit
Crunch hit in 2008, decided to let their house out instead of selling at a loss. In fact, the number of
houses on the market in Epsom dropped by 65.3% between June 2008 and January 2010, a lot of
which came on to the rental market in Epsom. However, looking at the longer term though, tenants
have had it good because since the turn of the Millennium, average wages have grown by 46%, but
rents outside central London have only grown by 36% rental growth over this period.
I mentioned to the landlord that there is a lack of new rental properties in Epsom coming on the
market, in fact according to the Office of National Statistics, there are only 22 new rental properties
coming to the market each month in Epsom, but the population of Epsom is rising by 67 people a
month – something will have to give soon! This is compounded by the fact a number of landlords are
looking to sell their rental properties in the coming months, as the property market in Epsom has
improved. This further compounded as tenants in existing rental properties appear to be staying in
properties for longer periods of time, as mentioned above.
Looking at the rents charged in Epsom, historic evidence in the UK suggests private market rents
have moved in line with general inflation. Government figures only go back as far as the year 2000,
but looking at other countries with similar housing markets (America, Australia, Ireland and Holland)
the fact is rents paid by tenants tend to rise in line or just ahead of inflation.
As short term wage growth in Epsom has eased off recently, rising by only 1.3% in the last 12
months, taking average salaries in Epsom to £37,498pa, with the tax breaks announced by The
Chancellor in the Budget, I believe, even though rents have kept pace with inflation in the past,
renting as an option has become more affordable, and is increasingly seen as a lifestyle choice.
If you want a chat about the local Epsom property market, pop in for a coffee or email me on
ian@directresidential.co.uk or keep checking the blog.
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