UK Buy-to-Let Growth in 2025: Regional Markets Take the Lead

The UK buy-to-let market 2025 is shifting focus. London is no longer the automatic destination for investors. Fresh data from Paragon Bank shows that nearly half of all new regional property investment deals this year are in the Midlands and northern regions.

Key Market Trends

• The Midlands, North West, North East, and Yorkshire & Humber account for 47.4% of new acquisitions in 2025.
• This is up from 46% in 2024 and just 33.5% a decade ago.
• The North West is now the second-largest UK buy-to-let market in 2025, with 12.9% of acquisitions.
• Yorkshire & Humber reached a record high of 9.5%.
  
  

By contrast, London vs regional markets shows a marked change:

• London and the South East now represent just 27.6% of new deals.
• London alone accounts for only 12%, compared with over 40% in 201

What’s behind this northern push? Several factors:

• Affordability: Lower property prices and reduced Stamp Duty boost investor buying power.
• Higher Yields: Rental yields in the North & Midlands remain stronger than London, supported by lower entry costs and solid rental demand.
• Economic Expansion: Upgrades to regional infrastructure, regeneration projects, and growing professional and student populations are fueling robust rental markets across key cities.
• Policy Change: Stamp Duty surcharges introduced in 2016 continue to fuel appetite for higher-yielding regional assets.

Louisa Sedgwick, Managing Director of Mortgages at Paragon Bank, notes that these regional markets provide the stock, tenant demand, resilient economies, and stronger yields that landlords are seeking.

London vs Regional Markets

London and the South East continue to hold weight due to their economic clout and international appeal. Yet, barriers to entry, from higher costs to limited supply, make them more difficult markets for new landlords to access.

Regional property investment, by contrast, offers stronger yield prospects and more accessible entry points for investors seeking long-term performance.

The key message for property investors and landlords: The UK buy-to-let market in 2025 offers the best opportunities through regional diversification. With proven yield advantages, lower upfront investment, and sustained market growth, the Midlands and North hold particular appeal for portfolio expansion. The London vs. regional markets equation is no longer one-sided. London remains prestigious, but the business case for going north is stronger than ever.