Why focus on rental yield?

Rental yield is a crucial metric for property investors. It represents the annual rental income as a percentage of the property’s value. High rental yields generally indicate a strong return on investment, especially in areas with affordable purchase prices and steady tenant demand. While capital growth is important, yield ensures steady cash flow — something many landlords prioritise in today’s economic climate.

Top affordable UK locations offering strong rental yields

Let’s take a look at some of the UK’s most promising areas for high rental returns without breaking the bank.

1. Birmingham Central

Birmingham remains one of the most attractive cities for rental investments. The Birmingham Central area, in particular, offers excellent transport links, a thriving business hub, and an ever-growing student population. With new developments and regeneration projects underway, rental demand remains strong across city centre flats and shared accommodation.

Average yields in central areas of Birmingham hover between 6% to 7%, with many properties still priced more affordably compared to southern cities.

Looking to explore investment opportunities in the area? Speak to the experienced team at Belvoir, or connect with local experts at Estate Agents in Birmingham Central who can help you identify high-yielding opportunities.

2. Sunderland

Sunderland is consistently listed among the top UK cities for high rental yield. Properties in this northeast city are incredibly affordable, and the local rental market is supported by a steady demand from students and working professionals alike.

Yields can reach up to 8%, particularly in areas close to the university and city centre.

3. Hull

Kingston upon Hull, or simply Hull, has undergone significant transformation over the past decade. The city boasts low property prices and decent rental demand, making it an investor favourite.

Certain postcodes in Hull regularly deliver yields of 7% or more, thanks to its strong rental market and growing population of young renters.

4. Liverpool

Liverpool’s regeneration and reputation as a vibrant university city contribute to its strong rental market. While city centre properties have appreciated over the years, many suburban and outer-city areas still offer low property prices and impressive yields.

Yields here average 6.5%, with some buy-to-let hotspots exceeding 8%.

5. Nottingham

This Midlands city benefits from two major universities and a well-connected transport network. Nottingham’s property prices are still relatively accessible, and rental yields often range between 6% to 7%.

It’s a solid choice for investors looking for both long-term capital appreciation and short-term income.

How affordability links to long-term success

Investing in high-yield areas doesn’t always mean compromising on growth. In fact, many affordable cities are benefiting from regeneration funding, transport investment, and housing schemes that improve their long-term investment potential.

If you’re just getting started or expanding your portfolio, researching the cheapest houses in the UK can help uncover lesser-known areas with strong rental demand and minimal competition.

Partner with a trusted property expert

Whether you’re searching for your first investment property or looking to scale your buy-to-let portfolio, it’s crucial to work with professionals who know the local market inside out. At Belvoir, we provide tailored advice, up-to-date rental data, and end-to-end support — from property search to ongoing management.

With branches across the UK and a trusted name in lettings and sales, Belvoir is the go-to choice for investors seeking the right balance of affordability and yield.

Final thought:
The UK property market continues to evolve, but the fundamentals of successful buy-to-let investing remain the same — choose the right location, understand your numbers, and work with the right team. With cities like Birmingham Central and Sunderland offering both value and returns, 2025 could be the year your portfolio starts yielding real rewards.

The post Affordable UK Locations with High Rental Yields appeared first on EMC UK.

Affordable Nutrafol Alternatives

Nutrafol may have name recognition, but there are high-quality supplements that offer similar benefits—without the premium price tag. Foundation Skincare’s Untangled Hair Supplement is a standout hair supplement that’s formulated to address common causes of hair thinning, including stress, nutrient deficiencies, and hormonal imbalances.

What makes this supplement different? It delivers targeted ingredients like biotin, marine collagen, and adaptogens that nourish the scalp, strengthen hair at the root, and support growth from the inside out. And at a more accessible price point than Nutrafol, it’s a smart option for anyone seeking visible results without overspending.

Another benefit of going with a Nutrafol alternative is the clean formulation. Many cost-effective brands avoid fillers and unnecessary additives, focusing instead on core nutrients that have been clinically linked to hair health.

Top Hair Supplement Ingredients

When comparing supplements, don’t just look at the brand—look at what’s inside. Effective hair growth supplements typically include a combination of the following:

• Biotin (Vitamin B7) – One of the most important nutrients for healthy hair growth, biotin helps improve keratin structure and supports stronger, more resilient strands.
  
• Marine Collagen – This protein supports hair follicle structure and boosts elasticity, which is essential for minimizing breakage and thinning.
  
• Zinc and Selenium – These minerals are crucial for maintaining a healthy scalp and preventing hair loss caused by nutritional deficiencies.
  
• Vitamin D and Iron – Deficiencies in these nutrients are often linked to increased shedding and slower regrowth.
  
• Adaptogens like ashwagandha – These natural compounds help reduce stress-related hair loss by balancing cortisol levels.
  

The Untangled Hair Supplement combines many of these key ingredients into a once-daily formula that’s both effective and easy to incorporate into your routine. It’s suitable for both men and women experiencing hair thinning due to a variety of internal and external factors.

If you’re looking for options designed specifically for men, this guide on the best hair vitamins for men is a helpful resource. It outlines nutrient-rich options that support male-pattern hair loss, hormonal balance, and scalp health.

The bottom line? You don’t need to spend a fortune to get results. With a trusted hair supplement like Foundation Skincare’s Untangled and guidance from a reliable Nutrafol dupe comparison, you can nourish your hair from the inside out—without compromising your budget or expectations.

The post Affordable Alternatives to Nutrafol: Top Hair Growth Supplements That Deliver Results appeared first on EMC UK.

The development is the second phase of a two-part regeneration project led by the Leeds Jewish Housing Association (LJHA), which aims to replace outdated properties with a mix of modern housing. The project is particularly focused on providing additional supported accommodation for older members of the local community, as well as more family homes.

The first phase, completed in 2022, saw the construction of 85 new homes, including 51 sheltered housing apartments for individuals aged 55 and over, and 34 general needs apartments. The development was recognised with the prestigious Best Housing Development award at the Chartered Institute of Housing Northern Awards 2023.

Phase two, which has now received backing from Homes England, will provide 28 new homes, consisting of 14 two-bedroom properties, 12 three-bedroom homes, a one-bedroom house, and a two-bedroom apartment. The new homes are designed to replace 40 outdated flats on the estate, offering increased living space and improved accommodation options for the local community. This phase is scheduled for completion by spring 2026.

LJHA has appointed Jack Lunn Limited as the design and build contractor for the second phase of the project.

In preparation for the development, families in the area began vacating their homes in anticipation of the site clearance. During this period, LJHA worked with Leeds City Council to explore temporary accommodation options for the displaced residents. This partnership led to a collaboration with local homeless charity Turning Lives Around, which provided 90 families with emergency accommodation on short-term lets.

Mark Grandfield, Chief Executive of LJHA, expressed excitement about the start of phase two, stating: “We are thrilled to begin the second phase of our regeneration masterplan, which will replace 52 outdated homes with 113 new, high-quality properties. This is a significant step in delivering improved living conditions for families in the Queenshill estate.”

He continued, “Phase two will replace 40 flats with 28 new homes, resulting in a substantial increase in bed spaces from 56 to 121, providing more spacious and modern accommodation for local residents.”

Craig Simons, Director of Operations at LJHA, highlighted the importance of community engagement throughout the process. “The feedback from the local community has been overwhelmingly positive,” he said. “We’ve held numerous consultations, from small roundtable discussions to larger drop-in sessions, and residents are excited to see these outdated flats replaced with modern family housing.”

Jonathan Shaw, Chair of the LJHA Board, added: “We are proud to give the development the green light and extend our thanks to Leeds City Council, Homes England, and the generous local community members who have helped make this project a reality.”

He concluded: “Most importantly, we are grateful to our residents. All previous occupants of the flats who wanted to be rehoused by LJHA have now been settled into new homes. We’re excited to see this final phase come to life and deliver a bright future for the Queenshill estate.”

The new development is part of a broader effort to regenerate the area, providing high-quality homes for local residents while enhancing the wider community.

The post Work Begins on New Affordable Homes in Leeds’ Queenshill Estate appeared first on EMC UK.

The University of Oxford, ranked as the number one university in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025, is among the least affordable regions for students, with Oxford itself coming ninth in terms of affordability. The analysis considered various cost-of-living factors, including accommodation, food, transport, and leisure costs, revealing that all ten of the UK’s top universities are located in expensive areas.

Out of the ten, four universities are based in London, which ranks as the fourth least affordable location for students. The capital’s universities fare particularly poorly, with the average student accommodation costing as much as £425 per week, more than double the rates in other regions of the country. London’s affordability score was just 7.36 out of 100, a sharp contrast to the national average score of 48.09.

The research reviewed data from 80 university towns and cities across the UK, analysing 24 cost-of-living factors from sources like Numbeo and Student Crowd. These included weekly rent for student accommodation, food, transport, and entertainment. Housing costs were found to be the most significant factor affecting affordability.

Oxford’s affordability score stood at 27.43 out of 100, placing it ninth on the list of the least affordable regions for students. The University of Cambridge, ranked fifth in the world, scored only marginally better with an affordability score of 29.5.

The University of Glasgow, ranked eighth globally, emerged as the most affordable institution in the top ten, though it still placed 52nd out of the 80 locations surveyed. Edinburgh, the other Scottish university in the top ten, ranked 65th for affordability, with a score of 36.95 out of 100. Despite free tuition in Scotland, many students still struggle with the cost of living, including high rents and everyday expenses.

Top 10 UK universities and their affordability

Speaking on the findings, Tornike Asatiani, CEO of Edumentors, said: “While UK universities continue to be recognised as some of the finest institutions in the world, they are becoming increasingly unaffordable for many students. This creates barriers for low-income students and puts additional pressure on those already enrolled, who may have to work part-time to support themselves.”

Asatiani added that rising rent costs are particularly concerning, with students in London paying exceptionally high rates for accommodation. He called for universities to explore further support options, such as offering more grants and bursaries, to help ease the financial burden on students.

The study emphasises that while the UK’s top universities maintain a stellar academic reputation, the escalating cost of living threatens to alienate prospective students, especially those from lower-income backgrounds, potentially impacting the diversity and accessibility of higher education in the country.

The post UK’s Top Ten Universities Among Least Affordable for Students appeared first on EMC UK.