House prices in uni town ‘among lowest’

STUDENTS at the University of South Wales in Pontypridd can take comfort from the fact that they live in one of cheapest university towns to buy a house, according to a new study.

The towns and cities in Halifax’s study have seen an average increase of 22.5% or £38,666 since 2014.

Across the 65 UK areas included, the average price grew from £172,179 to £210,845 - equating to an increase of £1,074 per month.

The survey, which excluded London, found the 10 university towns with the largest price growth in the last three years were all in southern England.

The largest growth in cash terms was in Guildford, home to University of Surrey, which increased by £105,362 and was the most expensive university town in the study, with an average price of £511,673.

The greatest percentage increase was in Bedfordshire, where house prices rose 42% to reach £284,707 on average.

The least expensive was Paisley in Scotland, with an average of £122,681. Other less expensive towns and cities included Bradford (£127,643), Hull (£134,938), Sunderland (£138,548) and Middlesbrough (£142,412). In Pontypridd the average price was £146,726.

Over a course lasting four years, prices in university towns have seen an average increase of 34% or £53,755 since 2013, the research found.

In the past five years, growth has been more significant, averaging £57,883 (38%) across the 65 university areas.

Russell Galley, managing director of Halifax Community Bank, said: “While it is well documented that the student housing market can be lucrative for private landlords receiving monthly rental income, this research indicates potential earnings from bricks and mortar alone.

“Over the past three years, parents who bought a property for their child to live in while undertaking studies could have seen an average gain of 22% on the value of the property. They may also have benefited from rental income from housemates or flat-sharers.”

Here are the best-performing university towns by house price growth in cash terms since 2014, according to Halifax, with the average house price in 2017 and the increase over the last three years in percentage and cash terms: 1. Guildford, £511,673; 26%; £105,362 2. Uxbridge, £441,273; 30%; £102,061 3. Hatfield, £88,829 4. Bath, £384,386; 29%; £87,169 5. Bedfordshire, £284,707; 42%; £84,621 6. Cambridge, £397,170; 26%; £82,678 7. Reading, £394,487; 29%; £385,338; 26%; £78,473 8. Oxford, £76,255 9. Brighton, £362,618; 26%; £75,804 10. Chelmsford, £334,808; 29%; £74,517

The 10 most expensive university towns in the study: 1. Guildford, £511,673 2. Winchester, £458,228 3. Uxbridge, £441,273 4. Oxford, £424,258 5. Cambridge, £397,170 6. Hatfield, £394,487 7. Reading, £385,338 8. Bath, £384,386 9. Brighton, £362,618 10. Chichester, £357,989

The 10 least expensive university towns: 1. Paisley, £122,861 2. Bradford, £127,643 3. Hull, £134,938 4. Sunderland, £138,548 5. Middlesbrough, £142,412 6. Carlisle, £144,805 7. Durham, £146,455 8. Pontypridd, £146,726 9. Belfast, £147,969 10. Dundee, £151,987 £424,258; 22%;