02/04/2002

Research suggests house buyers are better off

New research from the Abbey National has suggested that regardless of increases in house prices and the popularity of buy-to-let schemes, it makes better financial sense to buy rather than to rent.

The figures reveal that, taken over 25 years, it is 30 per cent cheaper to buy a property than to rent a home in the UK, with a calculated saving of around £101,679.

The statistics also show that the biggest savings can be made in buying a two bedroom flat, which has a typical renting cost of £263,785 over 25 years, in comparison to the total cost of buying, which stands on average at £141,970. This represents a percentage saving of 46 per cent.

Regional variations also mean that the North West of the UK features the largest average saving in cash terms (around £151,500) while the lowest average saving is in the South West (£60,121).

Bridget Walsh, Head of Mortgage Marketing, commented: "Although we have seen an extremely buoyant housing market in the last year, our research has once again shown the real benefits in buying as opposed to renting. It makes financial sense to buy rather than rent a property in the UK if you are in a position to do so.

"For instance, if you consider that the average monthly rent on a UK property is £677, which would get an eligible homebuyer – who has the relevant deposit – a £125,000 loan at our current 4.25 per cent discounted rate mortgage. The difference is that whilst one is paying for their home, the other is lining their landlord's pockets." (CL)

Related Northern Ireland Business News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

10 February 2011
Harsh Winter 'Moderates NI Rentals'
Anxiety over falling house prices, job security and obtaining an affordable mortgage continued to prop up rental values in Belfast in 2010. However, a new report also revealed today that after the hefty 7% jump in private rent prices recorded over the first nine months of 2010, prices fell by 4.
21 January 2004
Energy saving technologies on show at Belfast exhibition
Local companies will be able to learn about energy saving technologies, which could help them cut energy costs at the Invest Northern Ireland Energy Show, which takes place at the Ramada Hotel on Thursday January 22.
26 July 2002
Significant change in rights for homeowners
Director of the Office Of Law Reform, Gareth Johnston, has said the new Ground Rents Act is a "significant piece of reforming legislation and an important step in updating residential property law in Northern Ireland”.
30 July 2010
House Prices Drop By 0.5%
UK house prices fell by 0.5 % in July, the first time since February according to the Nationwide. This takes the average house price to £169,347 and the annual rate of inflation slips back to 6.
25 May 2007
Rent-IT Systems UK's 123mrp.NET wins double award
123mrp.NET wins double whammy at Best of British Manufacturing IT Awards 123mrp.NET, the production management software from Rent-IT Systems UK Ltd, has been announced as both the winner of the Manufacturing/Business Management category as well as the overall winner of the Best of British Manufacturing IT Awards.