Grass is greener for tenants

The importance of living in a green belt or conservation area, or within reach of the countryside is being underestimated by landlords according to new research from Birmingham Midshires ‘Not So Average Joe’ campaign.

The report found that one in five (19%) tenants would pay more rent to live in a green belt, with 33 per cent of renters willing to fork out extra to live in close proximity to the countryside. By contrast only four per cent of landlords felt eco-friendly credentials were important to tenants and only five per cent felt that easy access to the countryside could command higher rent.

Tim Hague, managing director of Mortgages at Birmingham Midshires said; ‘There seems a real disparity in what landlords and tenants feel is important in a rental property. Landlords are overestimating the importance of factors such as proximity to schools and parking when factors such as green credentials are growing in importance. Would-be landlords should research the market and get to know their audience so that they can make informed decisions when choosing a property.’