The UK is still
a nation of homeowners but the trend in Crawley is changing. The roots of the private rental sector appear
in the 1980’s & 1990’s when council houses were sold off under the right to
buy scheme.
Even though 27,583 households in Crawley were owner occupied
in 2001 that number had decreased to 25,228 households by 2011, the percentage
of homeowner properties in Crawley dropped drastically from 68.3% to 59%. Why, because whilst an additional 2,345
properties were built in Crawley between 2001 and 2011, a lot of them were
bought as buy to let investments, more than doubling the number of private
rental properties in Crawley. In fact, the number of properties in Crawley that
were privately rented jumped from 2,491 in 2001 to 6,214 in 2011.
We have noticed more of the younger generation are renting,
largely because they can‘t afford to buy - raising a deposit being the sticking
point for most. Adding to the demand for
rented property are Gatwick workers needing temporary accommodation.
Crawley private rented homes accounted for 14.5% in the last
census, up from only 6.16% at the previous census. If the trend continues a third of all homes
in Crawley could be privately rented in 2021.
With reports stating the rental market will continue to grow
with high demand and limited supply in the Crawley area you may be considering
buying a property for investment. I am
always happy to give you my considered opinion on which property to buy to give
you what you want from your investment. If you are a landlord, new or old, I am
happy for you to pick up the phone or visit me at our office on Orchard Street,
Crawley.
