- Londoners leave the capital
- Foreign investment to remain strong
- Tenant demand to increase
The development of the property market will principally rely on the UK’s economic resurgence from the coronavirus. In 2021, the economy is forecast to grow by 5.3%, but the recovery still faces uncertainty.
The pandemic’s ambiguity meant it was a challenging year for the property sector, and it’s tough to predict how the market will prove in 2021. Despite the ongoing Brexit unpredictability, the outlook for 2021 is largely positive. Industry experts are optimistic that Brexit is not likely to have much of an impact on the housing market in the short term. This year, the London property market will see Londoners continue to leave the capital while investment from overseas remains strong. Tenant demand will begin to increase and, by the end of the year, the rate of rental decline will have slowed.
The London Exodus
The COVID crisis sparked a London exodus, with a sudden scramble to purchase homes on the outskirts of the capital. As the pandemic forced most of the nation to work from home, more and more people chose to leave London. As a result, commuter belts have widened around London and all major cities.
In 2021, the trend is set to continue with more Londoners realising the potential of working from a rural home or commuting once or twice a week. Estate agency Hamptons forecasts that the London exodus will continue for at least the first half of the new year but may slow down as house prices flatline.
Foreign Investment
Foreign investment in the capital is predicted to maintain strong levels in 2021.
Foreign investment from around the globe forms a significant share of London’s property business. Despite the challenges London is facing, investors abroad have not forgotten the long-term appeal. Recent reports state London is the second-best place for property investment in Europe. The capital had climbed two spots from the previous year’s ‘Emerging Trends in Real Estate’ report (PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Urban Land Institute).
Local and foreign investors alike have been closing on prime property during the stamp duty holiday. Many are raring to close deals before the additional 2% tax returns for international buyers in April. However, many industry experts are confident that the charge will not deter foreign investment.
Renters and Landlords in the Capital
In 2021, the tenancy market may improve in London.
Renters in London were at a shortage in 2020 as tenants encountered financial challenges. Job uncertainty, furlough wage reductions, and redundancies had their effect on the London rented sector. Supply increased substantially in the capital, and some landlords had to accept lower rent to avoid void periods. Central London saw rent fall by 20%, according to statistics from estate agents Chestertons. Other prime London locations saw 15% decreases, and rental prices in Greater London lessened by 4%.
This year, the number of properties available to rent will likely decline. Once restrictions begin to lift, demand is likely to pick up, and the rate of rental decline will lag. If this year sees the economy recover as anticipated, rent will likely resume growth over the course of 2022.
