The best and worst buy-to-let property spots

Buy-to-let investors looking for the best return on their money should buy a property in Bootle, according to research that puts the area at the most profitable in Britain.

The Merseyside town will make a top annual 8.3% rental yield, based on a two-bedroom property  being picked up for approximately £65,000 and rent at a typical £451 a month. 

It’s followed by Plumstead, which will give a yield of 7.9%. At £185,000 asking prices for a two bedroom property in this pocket of south east London are nearly triple that of Bootle, but local rent keeps pace at £1,213.

Dundee and East Kilbridge also give a tasty return of 7.4%, according to the research carried out by property listing site Home.co.uk.

On the other hand, upmarket parts of London, including Kensington, Knightsbridge, Chelsea, Mayfair & Belgravia, are not such a wise investment with yields of between 2.4% and 3.3%.

"Investors in the rental property market really need to research their chosen location carefully in order to maximise potential yields," commented Doug Shephard, director at property listings site Home.co.uk.

The top 10 buy-to-let areas by annual rental yield:

Location	No. 2-Bed Properties for Sale	Typical Asking Price(£)	No. 2-Bed Properties for Rent	Typical Rent (£ pcm)	% Rental Yield (gross per annum)
Bootle	285	65000	238	451	8.3
Plumstead	163	185000	105	1213	7.9
Dundee	325	85000	233	524	7.4
East Kilbride	237	70000	106	429	7.4
Plaistow	192	192500	227	1148	7.2
Hamilton	296	80000	165	477	7.2
Camberwell	113	235000	141	1400	7.1
Brentford	108	327500	441	1950	7.1
Newham	144	180000	133	1049	7.0
Dagenham	171	163000	161	949	7.0

[Source: Home.co.uk]