Housing Hand emerges ‘fighting fit’ from the pandemic, with host of new services and roles

Housing Hand emerges ‘fighting fit’ from the pandemic, with host of new services and roles

by Louise United Kingdom
  • New services designed to meet needs of renters, landlords and letting agents
  • Both Partner Portal and House Finder Service resulted from investment during lockdown
  • Further service and partnership announcements expected in Q4 2021

When the UK first went into lockdown in 2020, companies faced unprecedented levels of uncertainty. Few businesses grasped the long-term implications at the outset, believing and hoping that ‘normal’ life would resume shortly. But as the scale of the pandemic began to be understood many companies began to cut costs, shoring up against an increasingly uncertain future.

However, some businesses began to look to the longer-term future, instead of focusing on the immediate situation. One such company was leading UK rental guarantor service Housing Hand. The company quickly grasped the potential of the new normal in terms of preparing to do things differently. As such, Housing Hand has emerged fighting fit from the pandemic, having invested in a host of new services.

“From shaping new roles within the business to mapping out enhanced and additional services, we have used the pandemic to design Housing Hand around long-term growth potential and operational health. The result is that the business has emerged from the pandemic fighting fit thanks to careful planning and investment in the future. This means we can better serve landlords, letting agents, student renters and working professionals alike.”

Terry Mason, Group Operations Director, Housing Hand

Headlining the new launches is the House Finder Service, which provides agents and landlords with a free platform through which to connect with would-be tenants. The ability to specify the kind of tenants they are seeking (i.e. students or working professionals) means less wasted time for all concerned, as does the fact that all properties listed accept Housing Hand as a guarantor.

In addition to taking the pain out of finding properties with its House Finder Service, Housing Hand also announced earlier this year that it had launched a new Partner Portal, designed to support accommodation providers to increase their revenue.

All of this means that Housing Hand is now particularly well placed to serve landlords, letting agents and tenants across the UK and Ireland over the months and years ahead. The expanded range of services means an enhanced rental experience for all parties – one that factors in the new economic uncertainties brought about by the pandemic.

“Covid-19 introduced significant turbulence for businesses across a wide range of industries. However, we are delighted to have responded robustly with new roles – including my own! – and new services that will improve the rental experience for all those involved in it. We’re also thrilled to be on the brink of sharing additional service and partnership news in the coming months.”

James Maguire, Head of Sales and Business Development, Housing Hand

For more information, please contact Housing Hand today on +44 (0) 207 205 2625 or visit https://www.housinghand.co.uk/

Housing Hand reports ‘extraordinary surge’ as record number of students scramble to find homes at last minute

Housing Hand reports ‘extraordinary surge’ as record number of students scramble to find homes at last minute

by Louise United Kingdom
  • Uncertainty over Covid and Brexit has caused many students to book at the last minute
  • Universities introducing a range of measures to keep staff and students safe
  • Hopes high that coming academic year will be more normal than past couple

UK rental guarantor service Housing Hand has reported an ‘extraordinary surge’ in business, as a huge number of students race to book their university accommodation at the last minute.

“We’ve not seen a rush like this before. The summer months are always our busiest period for student bookings, as young people arrange their homes for the coming academic year. However, this summer we’ve seen a record number of students leaving things to the very last moment before booking their accommodation. Brexit and Covid have created the perfect storm in terms of delaying decisions around committing to the expense of accommodation for the year ahead.”

James Maguire, Head of Sales and Business Development, Housing Hand

Housing Hand is the largest and only award-winning provider of rental guarantor services in the UK. Students from the UK, EU and any other part of the world can use the company as a guarantor for their rent. This avoids the need to pay rent upfront, as the landlord is provided with the comfort of knowing that the rent will always be covered. Housing Hand also provides a free House Finder Service, which connects young people with student-friendly landlords and letting agents across the country.

As students scramble to find homes ready for the start of term, universities themselves are doing all they can to prepare for an academic year that looks a great deal more normal than the past couple have. Different institutions are taking different measures to keep their staff and students safe, with a number of innovative schemes and incentives in place to ensure that as many young people as possible have been doubled jabbed by the time lectures start.

“With the prospect of a more normal academic year finally a reality, students are rushing to find the homes that they need in time for the start of the autumn term. It’s entirely understandable why so many have left it so late, but it certainly adds to the pressure in terms of getting everything done in time for the new academic year.”

Terry Mason, Group Operations Director, Housing Hand

For more information, please contact Housing Hand today on +44 (0) 207 205 2625 or visit https://www.housinghand.co.uk/

Regional city buy-to-lets are back, as rental growth hits 13-year high

Regional city buy-to-lets are back, as rental growth hits 13-year high

by Louise United Kingdom
  • Rental growth outside of London at highest level since 2008 (Zoopla)
  • Fabrik Invest flags up potential of Manchester and other top city locations
  • Combination of rising rents and price growth potential delivering a double win for investors

Property investors are enjoying the ideal combination of rapidly rising rents and continuing capital growth. Property investment firm Fabrik Invest reports that city buy-to-lets are back, with demand strong in Manchester, Preston and other UK urban areas, as renters return to city centres once more.

The firm’s findings are backed up by the latest Zoopla Rental Market Report. The Q2 2021 figures show that, excluding London, UK rental growth has hit a 13-year high, with a sharp rise in demand, particularly in city centres.

“With cities opening up once more and life returning to something close to normal, renters are once more embracing the convenience of the urban lifestyle. The exodus to the country that we saw when the pandemic began is now contrasted by a surge in demand from renters for city centre homes.”

Steve Jacob, CEO, Fabrik Invest

This is excellent news for investors in locations such as Manchester, where rents rose by 1.4% during the last three months. The city is home to a number of exciting new developments, with one of the most notable being Michigan Towers, at Salford Quays. In the midst of the £1 billion MediaCityUK expansion, the homes will provide a superb standard of waterfront living in easy reach of the best that the city has to offer. The 375 apartments are complemented by an on-site gym and cinema.

“Not only are rents shooting up in Manchester, but so too are prices, with an increase of 7.4% in the year to June 2021. This is the ideal combination of circumstances for investors looking to enjoy a healthy regular income as well as solid capital growth potential.”

Dale Anderson, Managing Director, Fabrik Invest

For more information, please contact Fabrik Invest on 020 8175 9891 or enquiries@fabrikinvest.com or visit http://www.fabrikinvest.com

The North West leads annual house price growth, as Preston delivers for everyone from investors to graduates

The North West leads annual house price growth, as Preston delivers for everyone from investors to graduates

by Louise United Kingdom
  • North West saw house price rises of 18.6% in year to June 2021 (HM Land Registry)
  • Preston leading the UK for ROI for landlords (Coulters Property)
  • Structural works now underway at The Exchange in Preston (Fabrik Invest)

The North West is leading UK house price growth once more, with an annual price rise of 18.6%, according to the June 2021 UK House Price Index from HM Land Registry. That compares to an increase of 13.2% for the UK as a whole. The figures come as welcome news to those who have been investing in property in the North West, where developments such as The Exchange in Preston are proving popular.

“The North West is such an exciting region from an investment perspective. Not only has it been performing brilliantly in terms of capital growth and yields over the past year, but it’s projected to continue doing so over the coming five years, with Savills forecasting growth of 28% to 2025. For individual cities with strong credentials within the North West, that growth potential is even higher.”

Dale Anderson, Managing Director, Fabrik Invest

Preston is one such city. In the past couple of weeks, it has been flagged up by Coulters Property as the top city in the UK for delivering the best return on investment for landlords. Property prices there remain comfortably below the UK average, despite the increases of the past year, meaning that investors can enjoy a low entry point in a city where demand for rental homes is high.

Feeding that demand is graduates from the Preston-based University of Central Lancashire, which is currently in the midst of a £200 million investment that is enhancing a range of facilities. Not only is Preston a great place to study, it’s also one of the top cities in the country for graduates, according to a new index from comparethemarket. Preston came in third in the index, only narrowly beaten by Bradford and Carlisle, based on analysis of factors ranging from salaries and available job opportunities to the cost of renting a home.

“Preston is a winner on so many levels. It has this superb talent pool of highly skilled graduates who are feeding the city’s dynamic future. Those graduates and other working professionals are generating plentiful demand for rental homes, and particularly for buildings that are a cut above normal standards, such as The Exchange.”

Dale Anderson, Managing Director, Fabrik Invest

Available for investment through Fabrik Invest, The Exchange will deliver 200 high-quality apartments spread across three buildings, two minutes’ walk from Preston city centre and five minutes from the city’s market quarter. Ranging from one to three bedrooms, the homes are complemented by an on-site gym, residents’ lounge, elegant rooftop garden with superb views, hotel-style concierge and bike storage, making them some of the most appealing residences in the city. In addition, placemaking activity includes several commercial units at ground floor level, with tenants being carefully selected to create a community vibe.

The entire development is positioned to benefit from Preston’s extensive regeneration work and infrastructure development, which has attracted £434 million worth of public funding and £2.3 billion of private investment. Structural works are now underway at The Exchange, which is due for completion during Q3 2023.

For more information, please contact Fabrik Invest on 020 8175 9891 or enquiries@fabrikinvest.com or visit http://www.fabrikinvest.com

Could rising self-employment spell trouble for the rental market?

Could rising self-employment spell trouble for the rental market?

by Louise United Kingdom
  • Record rise in solo self-employment projected for 2021
  • Number of self-employed women has risen by 57% in past 10 years
  • Housing Hand offering solution for both landlords and self-employed renters

More people than ever are leaving the traditional 9-5 behind and going down the self-employed route instead. Towards the end of 2019, self-employed workers in the UK surpassed the five million mark for the first time. According to the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed (IPSE), it is women who are driving the growth, with the number of self-employed women rising by 57% in the past decade (compared to 25% for men).

Meanwhile, the Institute of Fiscal Studies has projected a ‘record rise in solo self-employment’ in 2021.

While some individuals have been forced into self-employment through Covid’s impact on the jobs market, IPSE’s research has found that many of those opting out of working for someone else have done so for positive reasons.

“We have also found they are going into self-employment for overwhelmingly positive reasons like having more freedom to choose where they work (83% of freelancers said this was a factor), when they work (84%) and having a better work-life balance (73%).”

Inna Yordanova, Senior Researcher, IPSE

So far, so positive, but being self-employed has wider implications than just work/life balance. Chief among these is the difficulties that self-employed individuals can sometimes experience in accessing rental properties.

UK rental guarantor service Housing Hand has been working with self-employed renters for years. Around 15% of those who have asked the company to act as a guarantor since 2018 have been self-employed.

“There’s no denying it can be trickier to access rental accommodation when you’re self-employed but it’s just a question of being prepared. Landlords, quite rightly, need to know that their tenants can afford a long-term commitment to renting the property. For self-employed renters, this may mean providing some form of extra reassurance, such as a guarantor.”

James Maguire, Head of Sales and Business Development, Housing Hand

As a rental guarantor service, Housing Hand is able to guarantee the rent for the whole of the tenancy – precisely the kind of reassurance that landlords need. Having this service in place can avoid situations where landlords ask for six months’ rent upfront (or more).

“For landlords, having to arrange to get six months’ rent upfront is far from ideal, and for many renters, it’s just too big an ask. With the number of self-employed people rising, we need strategies and solutions in place that provide both landlords and tenants with solutions to ensure that renting a home is a smooth and hassle-free process.”

Terry Mason, Group Operations Director, Housing Hand

For more information, please contact Housing Hand today on +44 (0) 207 205 2625 or visit https://www.housinghand.co.uk/

Fabrik Invest reports significant surge in demand for Manchester buy-to-let properties

Fabrik Invest reports significant surge in demand for Manchester buy-to-let properties

by Louise United Kingdom
  • 70% of sales in last quarter have been in Manchester
  • Manchester ranked as top investment location by 2020 buy-to-let city tracker
  • North West rated as fastest growing region for productivity in 2020 and for property prices for next 5 years

Property Investment company Fabrik Invest has reported a surge in demand for buy-to-let property in Manchester over the past three months. During that time, a staggering 70% of the company’s sales were made in the city.

“We’ve sold around £8 million worth of property in Manchester in the past quarter and demand continues to be strong. Manchester is ticking all of investors’ boxes right now, whether they’re domestic investors or those putting their money into UK property from overseas.”

Dale Anderson, Managing Director, Fabrik Invest

Why is Manchester such a favourite with investors right now? The city’s property market, obviously, plays a key role in this. According to Zoopla’s June 2021 UK House Price Index, Manchester has enjoyed the third highest price rises in the UK over the past year, with an average increase in value of 7.4% (only Liverpool and Belfast have seen higher rises).

Savills, meanwhile, is forecasting a 28.0% rise in property prices across the North West over the five years to 2025 – a total that no other UK region surpasses.

When it comes to overall property investment potential, Manchester wins outright, with Aldermore’s buy-to-let city tracker, published in late 2020, ranking the city as the best location in the UK for landlords to invest in. The rankings were based on numerous factors, from average rent to local void levels.

Further supporting the case for investment is economic credentials of the North West – and Manchester in particular. According to data from the Office for National Statistics, labour productivity in the North West grew by 4.6% in 2020 (compared to 2019). This is the fastest rate of growth in the UK and well above the national average of 0.4%.

In addition, foreign direct investment (FDI) is pouring into the region, with only Greater London and Scotland attracting more FDI in 2020 than the North West. Manchester, meanwhile, is the UK’s third best performing city when it comes to attracting FDI.

“Manchester is a leading light when it comes to property investment right now. With so much going for it, including strong demand for rental homes and a relatively low entry point – the average property there costs £188,900, compared with £488,600 in London – the city has enduring appeal for investors.”

Matt Harper-Penman, Group Director, Fabrik Invest

Homes in key Manchester locations are, naturally, the most popular with investors. Fabrik Invest is offering one development that’s nearing completion – Manchester Waters – which provides waterfront living just six minutes from the city centre. Michigan Towers, meanwhile, is just getting underway at the heart of the £1 billion MediaCityUK expansion. Premium locations such as these provide precisely what investors are seeking in terms of long-term rental home demand.

For more information, please contact Fabrik Invest on 020 8175 9891 or enquiries@fabrikinvest.com or visit http://www.fabrikinvest.com

Triple uncertainty puts the brakes on international students’ plans to study in UK

Triple uncertainty puts the brakes on international students’ plans to study in UK

by Louise United Kingdom
  • Housing Hand reports international students are “holding back”
  • Travel restrictions, potential double vaccination requirement and housing shortage all causes for concern
  • New immigration route provides option for international graduates to launch UK careers

UK rental guarantor service Housing Hand has raised concerns that international students, especially European students, are holding back their plans to come to the UK to study.

“We are working with many international students looking to study in the UK. However, the uncertainty around travel restrictions/quarantine requirements and what universities will be offering in terms of face to face, blended learning or virtual lectures is leading to some students holding back. The additional uncertainty over whether students will need to be double jabbed to attend lectures has created a further cause for concern for many of those due to start courses in the UK this autumn.”

James Maguire, Head of Sales and Business Development, Housing Hand

Travel restrictions are the first hurdle to overcome. Changing rules around quarantine requirements are creating plenty of uncertainty and making it difficult for international students to plan ahead effectively, though the recent announcement around EU and US travellers not needing to quarantine if they have been double jabbed should help somewhat. There’s also the uncertainty of how easy it will be to return home for the holidays, once they’ve arrived in the UK to commence their studies.

“We’ve seen that when the guidance is clear, it leads to increased activity. When Portugal was added to the UK’s travel green list in May, we saw high demand from Portuguese students. They were second only to UK students in terms of applications here at Housing Hand for our rental guarantor services. International students need that level of clarity in order to plan ahead.”

James Maguire, Head of Sales and Business Development, Housing Hand

Recent confusion over whether or not students will need to be double jabbed before they can attend lectures and stay in halls isn’t helping. Education Minster Vicky Ford has so far said that students won’t need to be fully vaccinated but also that being fully vaccinated, “is the way that they can have that freedom and confidence that they’ll be able to have that full university life.”

“This lack of clarity over the need to be fully vaccinated has thrown up another barrier to international students, who now have to worry about whether they will be allowed to attend lectures or stay in halls. Even for those who have had both jabs, there will be the worry of how they will be required to evidence this in a format that is acceptable to the UK authorities.”

Terry Mason, Group Operations Director, Housing Hand

Despite all of this, UCAS has seen a record number of students – including mature students and those from overseas – apply for university places for the 2021/22 academic year. The total stands at 682,000 applicants, of whom 311,000 are UK 18-year-olds (another record, and an increase of 10% over the 281,000 who applied last year).

This creates a further issue for international students: housing. The UK has a well-documented shortage of housing for its growing population – a situation made worse by the pandemic.

“This year we’ve seen a sharp decline in the number of rental homes coming onto the market. Would-be tenants are now faced with significantly less choice, which in turn is pushing up rents. And with many landlords having multiple offers on the table, half of investors have been able to increase the rent they charge.”

Aneisha Beveridge, Head of Research, Hamptons

Add into the equation those landlords turning their properties into short-term lets to take advantage of the staycation boom, and questions quickly arise about precisely where these record numbers of students are going to live.

Housing Hand’s free House Finder Service at least goes some way to addressing this. The new service matches students with agents and landlords who are specifically seeking student renters, easing the process of finding accommodation in the UK. All of the agents accept Housing Hand as a guarantor, meaning that students won’t face the stumbling block of not having a guarantor when they find the property they want to rent.

For those international students who can overcome the hurdles of travel restrictions, potential double vaccination requirements and finding housing to access higher education in the UK, there is good news to look forward to when they graduate. As of 1 July 2021, a new immigration route means that international graduates can remain in the UK for up to two years to kickstart their careers.

Designed as a talent retention scheme, the graduate route doesn’t require applicants to have a job offer and there is no minimum salary. Graduates can switch jobs and work flexibly during their stay, providing plenty of potential to build their careers. There is also some Covid-related flexibility around when students must arrive in the UK, with those who start courses this autumn having until 6 April 2022 to arrive in the UK.

“The deadline extension sends out a strong message to those looking to complete their studies and launch their careers in the UK. Now the government just needs to boost that messaging by providing international students with the clarity and certainty they need in relation to travel, quarantine, vaccinations and housing – and it needs to do so fast.”

James Maguire, Head of Sales and Business Development, Housing Hand

For more information, please contact Housing Hand today on +44 (0) 207 205 2625 or visit https://www.housinghand.co.uk/

Should you ditch your pension in favour of a property portfolio?

Should you ditch your pension in favour of a property portfolio?

by Louise United Kingdom
  • 21% of Brits have no pension (Unbiased)
  • The right properties can provide lifelong income potential (Fabrik Invest)
  • Average UK pension pot is £42,651

Should you be putting money into a pension ready for your retirement or would you be better focusing on building up an alternative income stream, such as from a property portfolio? It’s a question that’s relevant to anyone who is planning for retirement and one that requires very careful consideration. The right decision could make a huge difference to the quality of the retirement in question and there are risks to both strategies.

“Sound financial planning is incredibly important when it comes to retirement, yet so many of us don’t focus on it until quite late in life. Both pensions and property have their attractions when it comes to funding your retirement, so it’s well worth investing time in discovering what will best suit your individual circumstances and plans.”

Matt Harper-Penman, Group Director, Fabrik Property Group

According to recent data from Unbiased, 21% of Britons have no private pension. Meanwhile, according to pension statistics from Finder, the average UK pension pot is just £42,651. The average retirement age is 64.7 years old for men and 63.6 for women, and life expectancy stands at 79.4 years and 83.1 years respectively. This means that £42,651 pension pot will need to last around 15 years for the average man and around 20 for the average woman.

While it’s true that retirees don’t spend as much as working professionals, Which? reports that the average two-person retiree household spends £26,000 per year. That covers the basics and some luxuries (hobbies, eating out and European holidays). Those looking for a more luxurious retirement (buying a new car every five years and enjoying long-haul holidays, for example), spend around £41,000 per year. Clearly, that average pension pot isn’t going to cut it.

Building a property portfolio as a viable alternative to a pension therefore has its attractions. Property can provide a regular income through rent and is also an asset that can be sold, should the retiree need access to a larger amount of money.

It’s an approach that Steve Jacob, CEO of Fabrik Property Group, figured out early on. Steve took out a residential mortgage to buy his first home, as so many people do. However, he very quickly realised that he could do much more with his money by investing it in property instead. As such, Steve sold his home and moved back in with his parents. He began investing in property with the money from the sale and now has a portfolio of 50 properties, worth notably more than the average pension pot.

“Each member of the team at Fabrik Invest is passionate about the potential that property has to provide a long-term, stable income stream. We’re drawing from our own experiences and strategies – and learning from our mistakes – to support our investors to use those same strategies to build their wealth. In many cases, those investors are using property as part of their retirement planning.”

Matt Harper-Penman, Group Director, Fabrik Property Group

The property versus pension debate is one that will continue over many years. Retirees in the UK have greater freedom over how they fund their golden years these days and many are taking an approach that balances their pension with other streams of income. Those just starting to build their property portfolio are often looking for a low entry point, which makes northern cities such as Manchester particularly attractive.

Manchester is home to Michigan Towers, a collection of 375 contemporary apartments and townhouses with on-site gym and cinema. At the heart of the £1 billion MediaCityUK expansion in Salford Quays, the waterside homes have huge appeal when it comes to attracting renters, while the latest Zoopla UK House Price Index shows that Manchester property prices were growing at the second-fastest rate in the UK in May, increasing 7.2% over the past year. Manchester’s average property is now worth £187,800, while the UK average stands at £229,300, emphasising the northern city’s value for money for those looking to start building a retirement-funding property portfolio.

“Manchester is a city with excellent long-term potential in terms of its property market. With a robust economy and ambitious urban development plans, as well as affordable prices, it’s a key city in many property investors’ portfolios – and rightly so.”

Matt Harper-Penman, Group Director, Fabrik Property Group

For more information, please contact Fabrik Invest on 020 8175 9891 or enquiries@fabrikinvest.com or visit http://www.fabrikinvest.com

New House Finder Service makes renting easier for both tenants and landlords

New House Finder Service makes renting easier for both tenants and landlords

by Louise United Kingdom
  • Agents, landlords and tenants all benefitting from Housing Hand’s new service
  • Free to use platform is helping partner agents increase their revenue
  • Working professionals and students both eligible for free House Finder Service

Hot off the heels of the launch of its new partner portal, UK rental guarantor service Housing Hand has revealed its new service to connect tenants and agents across the UK.

The free House Finder Service allows agents to set preferences for the kind of tenants they are seeking, such as students or working professionals. Those looking for accommodation can then register with the service to connect with agents and find the perfect property. All of the agents accept Housing Hand as a guarantor, meaning that tenants won’t face the stumbling block of not having a guarantor when they find the property they want to rent.

“We wanted to take some of the pain out of the property finding experience. Searching for a new home can be a really stressful time, whether you’re moving in order to study somewhere or you’re a working professional simply looking to relocate. By providing a free service to connect renters with agents in a way that matches both parties’ requirements, we’re making renting easier.”

James Maguire, Head of Sales and Business Development, Housing Hand


Housing Hand’s partner agents are based around the UK. The company guarantees rent for more people in the UK than anyone else and works with more letting agents and landlords than any other company. The result is plenty of choice for tenants, while partner agents enjoy increased revenue through the delivery of potential leads.

Renters and agents can make direct connections through the House Finder Service, communicating within the platform or through the contact details that both parties provide.

“Every property that tenants find through the House Finder Service already accepts Housing Hand as a guarantor, so renters have additional peace of mind when using the service, as they know they won’t be dealing with requests for six or more months’ rent upfront. Agents have the peace of mind that comes from knowing their tenants will have a professional rental guarantor service in place. And a free lead is a free lead!”

Terry Mason, Group Operations Director, Housing Hand

The House Finder Service is one of a range of new measures that Housing Hand has put in place to make renting easier for students and working professionals. The company provides a comprehensive knowledge base that serves to educate renters, landlords, universities and others about the role of guarantors. Its partner portal supports agents in the UK and the Republic of Ireland to increase revenue and reduce cost and risk through connecting with renters faster. Meanwhile, its Only My Share company ensures that renters won’t be liable for their housemates’ rent, if one member of the household doesn’t pay.

With the newly launched House Finder Service, Housing Hand has provided an additional tool to make renting easier for all concerned.

For more information, please contact Housing Hand today on +44 (0) 207 205 2625 or visit https://www.housinghand.co.uk/

European property investors shun the UK, as Middle Eastern buyers step up

European property investors shun the UK, as Middle Eastern buyers step up

by Louise United Kingdom
  • New figures from Fabrik Invest reveal who’s buying property in the UK
  • Buyers from the Middle East, Africa and Asia all profiting from UK property
  • Buyers from continental Europe account for just 5% of those who are buying

Figures from leading property investment firm Fabrik Invest have provided some fascinating insights into who is investing in the UK’s property market right now. In its first year of trading, Fabrik Invest saw investors from 25 countries put their money into UK property, selling over 125 apartments – and all against the backdrop of the pandemic with its travel restrictions and multiple lockdowns.

UK investors accounted for 60% of Fabrik Invest’s total sales during the past year, yet buyers from elsewhere in Europe accounted for just 5%. Instead, it was investors from the Middle East who showed the most appetite for UK property, accounting for 13% of total sales. They were closely followed by investors from Africa, who accounted for 12% of sales, and those from Asia, at 11%.

“It’s been an interesting year to work in property investment, with so many staff having to work remotely and to adapt to using Zoom and other tech. However, what we’ve seen is that there is still plenty of appetite for UK property, as investors seek out a market that is fundamentally stable in both political and economic terms.”

Matt Harper-Penman, Group Director, Fabrik Invest

In terms of individual countries (and excluding the UK), it is South Africa that is leading the charge, accounting for 7% of the total number of apartments purchased through Fabrik Invest over the past year. Next comes the UAE, which accounts for 6% of total investors, followed by Qatar at 5% and Hong Kong at 4%.

The fact that investors come from 25 countries in total emphasises just how attractive the UK property market remains around the world, even if buyers from continental Europe are largely declining to get involved.

The North, in particular, has been drawing in overseas investors over the past year. Developments such as Michigan Towers in Manchester are providing a low entry point, with investors able to take advantage of massive local regeneration schemes that look set to drive up property prices significantly over the next several years. With a premium location in Manchester’s MediaCityUK, which is in the midst of a £1 billion expansion, the luxury apartments of Michigan Towers have been selling fast to investors around the globe.

“With a booming property market and a well-regulated financial system, the UK has a great deal to offer when it comes to property investment. Overseas buyers looking for stable, long-term rental income can find everything they need here, with healthy yields and excellent potential for capital growth. With business having boomed during the pandemic, we’re excited to see what the next 12 months has in store.”

Dale Anderson, Managing Director, Fabrik Invest

For more information, please contact Fabrik Invest on 020 8175 9891 or enquiries@fabrikinvest.com or visit https://fabrikinvest.com/