Bournemouth Rental Market: Everything You Need to Know

Bournemouth is a seaside resort town known for its sunny beaches, bay walks and beautiful views. The largest resort in Dorset, it has long been a destination for holiday-goers seeking sun, sea and sand. With holiday lets becoming more popular as an investment choice in recent years, buy-to-let investors are looking towards Bournemouth as a potential property hotspot. Here, we take a look at the rental market in Bournemouth, and assess whether the town is worth investing in.

Property prices in Bournemouth

Currently, the average property price in Bournemouth is £378,921, with the majority of sales in the town being flats. With the average UK property price £287,924, Bournemouth property is significantly higher than the national average. As a summer holiday destination, there is high demand for second homes and holiday homes, which is causing the average house price to increase.

Rental market in Bournemouth

The average rent in Bournemouth sits above the national average at £1,296, and this high price is indicative of the UK rental market in general. A period of high demand and low supply exerting pressure on rent has caused it to rise rapidly. Bournemouth is no exception to this, as average rent increased 10.5% in July 2024 compared to the previous year.

What are the best areas of Bournemouth to invest in?

There are many areas of Bournemouth that hold attractive investment prospects, each with its own unique appeal. The town centre (BH1) offers property prices lower than the Bournemouth average, and with its proximity to Bournemouth University attracting student tenants, there is potential for a decent rental yield for investors.

In the north of Bournemouth, investors should choose areas wisely. Districts like Kinson have a property price lower than the Bournemouth average and a higher rental yield, but are less popular areas for holiday-goers to rent. 

Southbourne in the east is in demand due to its proximity to the coast and access to the town centre. Due to this, however, the property is more expensive here, averaging £458,991, meaning rental yield is lower. 

Should I consider a buy-to-let investment in Bournemouth?

High demand for property

Bournemouth’s status as a top seaside destination makes it a popular choice for buyers looking for holiday homes, second homes, and a place to move to after retirement. There is plenty of beautiful scenery, great shopping and leisure activities, excellent schools and universities as well as good road and rail links to the rest of the UK.

This high demand for property is a positive for buy-to-let investors as it translates to high rental demand and high rental income. Nevertheless, Bournemouth is one of the most expensive places to live in the UK, and this is no different for buy-to-let expenses. Whilst this means that investing in Bournemouth may be difficult for some, rental yields will also be higher in other regions.

Short and holiday lets

As a popular holiday destination, Bournemouth is a hotspot for the holiday lets and short-term lets sectors. Both of these rely upon research into seasonal trends to ensure investors make the most of holiday-goers and the areas of Bournemouth, they are likely to want to rent property.

Looking to sell a tenanted property in Bournemouth?

On the other hand, if you’re ready to leave your landlord responsibilities behind, we can help you sell a tenanted property in Bournemouth in a timeframe that suits you. Generate a free cash offer online now by heading to SellHouseFast.co.uk to see what your property could be worth.