Number Taking In a Lodger Almost Doubled Over Past Few Years

The number of people taking in a lodger has almost doubled over the past few years as people look to supplement their income, according to a new study. Research by insurance firm LV= found that the average spare room generated more than £3,000 rental a year, rising to more than £4,000 in London. A survey of 400 UK homeowners revealed that a fifth of lodgers are aged between 36 and 50. Around 2.7 per cent of homeowners rent out a spare room, compared with 1.4 pre cent in 2009, said the report. Read more on the Daily Mail website.

Rising Tuition Fees to Increase Empty Homes

The student housing market could be hit badly by the rise in tuition fees leaving private landlords with empty properties. Insurers LV= conducted a survey which showed that more than half of students will choose a university close to home by 2020 to offset the cost of paying for their education. Student accommodation has been one of the best performing sectors for landlords, with strong levels of demand, full occupancy levels and good prospects for rental growth. However, the survey suggests that the increased fees will mean there will not be enough students to support the market. Experts predict that property values in university towns will fall and rents will also decline. Read more on the lv website.