Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset Lettings Market and Rental Yields
June 2025
Overall, Bristol's rental market in 2025 is characterised by rising rents, stable yields, and strong tenant demand, particularly in central areas.
Rental Prices
The average asking rent of all properties currently available to rent in Bristol is £1,809 per month. By comparison, the average rent achieved for homes let in Bristol during the last 12 months was £1,446 per month.
Average rents in Bristol have remained relatively high, though growth has slowed compared to the rapid increases seen in 2022–2023.
Rental Yields
Gross Yields - Gross rental yields across Bristol average between 4.5% and 5.5%.
Gross rental yields (annual rent as a percentage of property price) vary by area, generally inversely related to house prices.
Our top tips
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Higher-yielding areas
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Easton
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St. George
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Bedminster
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Horfield
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These districts tend to offer better returns due to -
- Lower property acquisition costs
- Strong tenant demand
- High demand from young professionals
In the BS8 (Clifton) postcode – where values are highest – yields are tight, around 3% on average. In the more moderately priced North Bristol suburbs (e.g. BS7), typical yields are closer to 4%.
South-of-river districts like BS3 and BS4 can achieve around 4–5% yields, reflecting their lower entry prices and solid rent levels.
Notably, properties in student-heavy or HMO markets (e.g. parts of BS6 around Cotham/Redland) may see even higher yields (5–7% gross) due to multiple tenants sharing.
Some of the strongest performance areas such as Easton, St. George, and Bedminster are showing the strongest income performance due to tenant affordability constraints in more expensive north and west Bristol postcodes.
In North Somerset, Portishead (BS20) offers yields roughly in the 4–5% range (family homes renting for £1,300+ PCM against purchase prices in the £300k’s), whereas Clevedon (BS21), with higher average prices, sees closer to 3–4% yields.
Market Trends
Bristol remains one of the UK’s most desirable rental markets. Strong demand from professionals, students, and families remain. Bristol's population growth and a dynamic job market. Hybrid working trends attracting relocators seeking a balance of urban life and green space.
Student demand continues to underpin the market, especially in areas like Clifton, Redland, and Bishopston. Family homes and HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation) remain in high demand, particularly in North Bristol and BS7 areas.
There are currently 2,817 properties available to rent in Bristol which is 110.1% higher than a year ago. 55.5% of homes listed to rent in the past 12 months were flats.
Supply
Rental supply is improving slightly, but still lags behind pre-pandemic levels. More properties are entering the market, especially as landlords adjust to more stable mortgage rates. However, competition remains strong, particularly for well-located and reasonably priced homes.
Demand
Properties rented in the last month had been on the market for an average of 17 days which is 122.9% longer than a year ago.
National view point
While demand for rental properties has declined by 16% in the last year, it remains more than 60% above pre-pandemic levels.
This is likely related to lower levels of migration for work and study, with the ONS reporting a 50% decline in net migration in 2024. Although lower, migration levels remain above average.
The decrease in rental demand is also a result of mortgage rates stabilising, alongside improved access to mortgages for first-time buyers, with more renters now able to get on the property ladder.
Changes to how banks assess affordability will make it easier for renters on higher incomes to access home ownership, further easing demand for rentals. (Zoopla)
Rental supply increases off a low base
With a 17% increase in the number of rentals on the market, properties are taking slightly longer to let. Despite this, rental supply still remains 20% lower than pre-pandemic levels. With mortgage rates falling, there is an increase in landlords purchasing properties. Although rental growth has slowed, renters still face strong competition for rented homes.
