Leeds named as one of most expensive areas in UK for renting homes with gardens

New research shows that people who rent a home in Leeds are paying more than almost any other UK city to have a garden in their home.

According to research carried out by Paving Direct, which analysed house prices on Rightmove, the average renting price in Leeds is £928.50 per month.

It found that renting a home with a garden boosted the cost to £1,160.80 per month.

This is an increase of 25 per cent.

Leeds was therefore placed fifth in a top 10 list across the UK of where renters are paying the most for gardens.

It was behind Birmingham, London and Bath, the latter of which saw prices rise by a whopping 43.13 per cent.

The experts predict that the easing of lockdown restrictions allowing people to meet in private gardens will increase the demand of homes with gardens.

Cass Heaphy, Digital Director at Paving Direct said: "With the impact of lockdown, we’ve seen demand for paving jump.

"People have been spending an increasing amount of time in their own homes and want to make the most of their outdoor space.

“The data here shows just how much value a garden can add to a house and why homeowners need to be making the most of their outside space.

"Likewise, landlords need to be aware of the opportunity cost of upgrading the garden in their properties, as it can add real value, and higher income.

“I think one of the key things to come out of the whole lockdown experience for many people is really valuing their garden.

"It has underscored our appreciation of all the benefits it provides to happiness, health and well-being.

"That appreciation is only going to increase demand and therefore, more value, to homes with gardens or outdoor spaces.”

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Daniel Bunting, Estate Agent at Apropos added: “From my own stock of managed properties I have noticed that smaller flats and houses with no outside space have received much less interest than usual.

"Properties with lots of natural light have done well but properties with outside space have seen increases in rent of up to 10 per cent more than equivalent properties without outside space.

"This is clearly due to people spending more time at home and being restricted on travel.

“We live in a country with high population density so having some outside space to call your own I think is more important here than other countries. Also we are more limited on suitable weather for being outside so we want to make the most of it when the weather is good.”