Rangewell Reveals the Best UK Cities for Build to Rent Investment Opportunities

Our analysis examined current commercial property listings across 10 major cities in Britain, breaking the data down by sector to see which was the most prevalent when it came to the investment opportunities on offer. 

Despite the growing popularity of BTR as an investment class, it found that such opportunities account for just 2.1% of total commercial listings across the 10 major cities analysed. In contrast, the majority of commercial stock available sits within traditional categories such as retail and restaurants (42.7%), office space (33.9%), and industrial units (15.1%).

Build to rent has gained momentum in recent years due to its long-term income potential, tenant demand and favourable yield profile. However, investors are often locked out of this market because BTR developments are typically retained and operated by large-scale developers or funds. This makes any existing stock coming to market both rare and potentially rewarding.

Among the cities with the greatest number of build to rent opportunities currently available, Sheffield ranks highest, accounting for 3.8% of all BTR investment opportunities found in the current market. 

Newcastle follows at 2.8%, then Birmingham at 2.7%, Manchester at 2.5% and Glasgow at 2.5%. 

Edinburgh and Liverpool each register a BTR share of 2.0%, while London matches the national picture at 2.1%.

Some cities, however, present no current BTR investment opportunities at all. Cardiff, despite a generally active commercial market, currently has no build to rent listings, illustrating just how scarce this type of property can be outside key regional hotspots.

Alasdair McPherson, Commercial Property Expert at Rangewell, commented:

 “Build to rent has become a core component of the UK’s modern rental housing landscape, delivering steady yields, reduced void risk, and increasing appeal among tenants seeking professional management and quality accommodation. 

But for private or institutional investors hoping to enter the space, opportunities remain few and far between. That scarcity, however, is exactly why early or well-prepared entrants stand to benefit. In cities like Sheffield, Newcastle and Birmingham, where BTR stock is more readily available, the window of opportunity may still be short, making the need for fast, tailored finance solutions critical.”

Data Tables and Sources

• Rangewell analysis of live UK commercial property listings on Loopnet, July 2025.

• Build to rent share calculated as a percentage of all available commercial property listings by city.
• View full data tables and sources online here.