Is Exeter a Good Place to Invest in Property?
Exeter is widely considered one of the strongest property investment markets in the South West. The city combines a major university population with large employers such as the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital, the Met Office and Exeter Science Park. This creates consistent demand for both student accommodation and professional rental housing — making Exeter unusually resilient.
- University of Exeter — 30,000+ students driving consistent HMO demand
- Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Trust — 5,000+ employees and large contractor demand
- Met Office Exeter HQ — 1,800+ employees
- Exeter Science Park — growing technology and research sector
- M5 access and rail to London under 2 hours
- Property prices below Bristol and Bath — better entry yields
- Limited housing supply relative to demand — protects long-term capital values
Average Rental Yields in Exeter
| Area | Typical Rent | Gross Yield | Best Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | £185–195 pppw | 6–8% | Student HMO |
| St James | £175–185 pppw | 6–7% | Student HMO |
| Heavitree | £1,250–1,350 pcm | 5–7% | Professional / mixed |
| Exeter City Centre | £1,200–1,400 pcm | 5–6% | Serviced / corporate |
pppw = per person per week. pcm = per calendar month. Request a free rental estimate for your specific property.
Best Areas in Exeter for Property Investment
Pennsylvania
Popular student housing area close to the University of Exeter Streatham Campus. Properties here achieve some of the highest yields in the city. Browse student accommodation in Pennsylvania.
St James
Between university campuses and city centre — strong demand from students and young professionals. Consistent HMO performance. Browse student accommodation in St James.
Heavitree
Broader mix of tenants — students, NHS professionals, and families. Popular with investors seeking lower entry prices with 5–7% yields.
Exeter City Centre
Well suited to serviced accommodation strategies targeting corporate guests and contractors. Explore serviced accommodation in Exeter.
Student Lets vs Serviced Accommodation
| Strategy | Typical Monthly Income | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Student letting | £1,500–£1,650 | Consistent academic-year demand |
| Guaranteed rent | £1,650–£1,800 | Fixed income — zero void risk |
| Serviced accommodation | £2,000–£2,500+ | Highest potential income |
Learn more: Guaranteed rent for Exeter landlords | Serviced accommodation management
Real Exeter Investment Example
Example 4-bedroom student house in St James
- Purchase price: £360,000
- Monthly student rent: £1,650
- Annual rental income: £19,800
- Estimated gross rental yield: 5.5%
If operated as serviced accommodation, the same property could generate approximately £2,200 per month depending on demand.
Learn more about guaranteed rent options. | Explore serviced accommodation management.
Results vary by property and market conditions. Contact us for a property-specific estimate.
How Gillams Properties Supports Property Investors
- Student property letting & management — Full HMO management including licensing, compliance and rent collection.
- Guaranteed rent schemes — We pay you a fixed monthly income directly — no void risk, no tenant management.
- Serviced accommodation management — Professional management for corporate lets, contractors and short stays.
- Pre-purchase rental estimates — Free rental estimates before you buy. Browse student houses in Exeter to understand demand.
Future Outlook for Exeter Property Investment
- University of Exeter expansion — Continued student number growth maintains HMO demand in core investment areas.
- NHS and healthcare sector growth — Expansion at RDE Hospital drives contractor and professional rental demand.
- Exeter Science Park development — Growing technology sector creates professional rental demand near the M5.
- Corporate sector growth — Met Office expansion and financial services support serviced accommodation demand.
- Limited supply pipeline — New housing constrained by geography and planning policy — protects long-term rental demand.