9.27%
Second highest yield on student property in the UK
Plymouth ranks among the strongest cities nationally for student property rental yields, reflecting consistent tenant demand and accessible entry pricing.
Source: Paragon Bank
A South West city with rental demand, regeneration, affordability and value add opportunity
Plymouth has many of the ingredients we look for in a property investment location.
Investment case
A city with the fundamentals we look for
Plymouth has many of the ingredients we look for in a property investment location. It has a significant student population, major public and private employers, a long standing naval and marine economy, regeneration activity and a housing market where value can still be created through improvement and better use.
Unlike more saturated cities, Plymouth can still offer opportunities where local knowledge and practical execution make a meaningful difference.
8
Reasons to look at Plymouth
Scroll on to explore the data points behind the investment case, each backed by a public source.
Plymouth by the numbers
The data behind the investment case
A snapshot of the headline figures shaping our view of Plymouth. Every fact links to its public source.
23,000+
More than 23,000 students in Plymouth
The University of Plymouth, Marjon and Plymouth College of Art together sustain a substantial student population year on year, underpinning rental demand for shared housing.
Source: University of Plymouth
20,000
Over 20,000 defence-related jobs
Devonport Dockyard, Babcock International and the Royal Navy anchor a long standing employment base across defence, marine and engineering.
Source: Invest Plymouth — Defence
20,000
Around 20,000 people employed in healthcare
Plymouth is home to Derriford Hospital, the largest hospital in Devon, and the largest provider of healthcare courses in the South West, anchoring a substantial health and care workforce across the city.
35–40%
Entry prices 35 to 40 percent below Bristol
Plymouth offers materially lower entry pricing than other major South West cities, opening the door to stronger gross yields and value add potential.
Source: ONS Plymouth housing prices
+12%
Large HMO yields averaging above 10 percent
Top cases in the large HMO segment exceed 12 percent, reflecting strong tenant demand from students and professionals in well located stock.
£100m+
Regeneration investment worth hundreds of millions
Significant public and private regeneration across the waterfront, city centre and university quarter continues to lift the quality of place and long term investor confidence.
Source: Plymouth City Living Framework
#1
South West showing strongest yield growth in England
Regional data places the South West at the top of England for rental yield growth, with Plymouth a key beneficiary of that wider trend.
Source: Property118 summary of Paragon regional yield growth
Demand drivers
What supports the market
Universities and student demand
Plymouth has a significant student population, supporting demand for well located, well managed shared housing and rental accommodation.
Naval, marine and defence economy
The city has long standing economic strength linked to the dockyard, naval base, marine industries and associated employers.
Healthcare and public sector employment
Derriford Hospital, education providers and public services support a broad employment base and consistent rental demand.
Regeneration and investment
Regeneration across the waterfront, city centre and university areas continues to improve the quality of place and long term investor confidence.
Affordability
Compared with many larger southern cities, Plymouth remains relatively accessible, which can create opportunities for investors seeking stronger entry value.
Housing stock with improvement potential
Much of the city's property stock is suited to refurbishment, conversion and better management where layouts and condition have not kept pace with demand.
Opportunity
Where the opportunity sits
We are particularly interested in the gap between current use and better use. That may mean a dated residential property suited to HMO conversion, an underused commercial building with residential potential, or a tired rental asset that can be improved and operated more professionally.
- Student HMOs
- Professional HMOs
- Refurbished buy to let property
- Commercial to residential conversion
- Mixed use assets
- Small blocks and flats
- Tired properties in strong rental locations