The wider resident population of Oxford just exceeds 152,000 and the city is renowned as a thriving innovation, science and research centre of expertise. 

71% of jobs in Oxford are in 'knowledge intensive' industries such as the large Headington teaching hospitals, growing science and business parks and an emerging hub of 'start up' technological firms. Major employers include Oxford University Press, The Radcliffe Hospital Trust and Unipart. 

The unique geographical form of Oxford is largely determined by the physical constraints of a ring road and large areas of flood plain. Both combine to limit possibilities for large scale new housing development.

These characteristics also create pockets of housing rather than sprawl and gives each area of housing a distinctive character. Tenants tend to come with very definite preferences on the area in which they wish to live.

A shortage of housing supply is the overriding characteristic which underpins Oxford’s safe and stable housing market. This is demonstrated in house prices. The current (2020) average house price value is £408,000 compared with a UK national average of £224,000. Oxford is often scored as one of the least affordable UK cities, with house prices exceeding 17 times average local salaries. 

Many tenants in Oxford visit on academic or employment contracts and have no intention on putting down long term roots. These tenants typically refer to rent for their period of residency. 

Ensuring that location and specification are suited to the target tenant audience is vital to long term success. Short stay and student accommodation investment come with other specific location, planning and licensing considerations which require careful attention. 

For an appropriately located and correctly specified property investment securing tenants is usually remarkably easy. As a result void periods (empty days) are minimal, another major factor in the appeal of investing in Oxford. 

To discuss Oxford’s unique Buy to Let market in more detail please contact us on 01491 833163 or email enquiries@oxonps.co.uk