The Intermediary – September 2025 - Flipbook - Page 99
L O C A L FO C U S
Oxford
Auld explains: “Although buy-tolet remains a challenging market,
there has been a shi in the type of
client looking to purchase, with a
strong focus on limited company
transactions.” He adds that rental
prices have surged in the area, and
that “Oxford also remains a strong
destination for houses in multiple
occupation (HMOs) due to council
legislation and the number of student
lets in the area.”
Meehan notes that “despite tighter
margins due to tax and regulatory
changes, Oxford remains a solid rental
hub thanks to its student population
and strong demand from hospital
and university staff.” He highlights
that “professional landlords remain
active, especially in HMOs and welllocated smaller units,” with many now
targeting properties where they can
add value rather than simply relying
on capital growth.
Still, the market is not seeing the
same inflow. Best notes: “We continue
to service existing clients’ rental
portfolios, but have not seen new
buyers in Oxford this year.”
She adds: “BM Solutions last month
entered the limited company buy-tolet market with competitive rates and
underwriting, making other lenders
address the competitiveness of their
limited company rates, criteria, and
affordability.”
For Gunn, the market is one of
contrasts. He says: “Mortgage pricing
is much beer than it was two years
ago, but this market is under threat
of constant tenancy regulatory
changes and fear of increased
taxation. Overall, investors feel a lile
bale weary!” At the same time, he
notes a rise in “accidental landlord
enquiries” as homeowners use letto-buy strategies to break chains and
secure onward purchases, sometimes
holding onto an existing property
before selling.
Future growth
Development is playing an
increasingly important role in shaping
Oxford’s future. The average price of
a newly built property in the postcode
area now stands at £493,000, a 6%
increase over the past 12 months.
Hotspots such as OX16 9 have recorded
63 new-build completions in the
past year.
Brokers say new schemes are not
just about housing, but broader
transformation. Best explains: “While
private property developers still thrive
in and around Oxfordshire – and offer
Exciting times ahead
DARREN MEEHAN
mortgage adviser at Bright Money Independent
W
e think Oxford is one of the UK’s most resilient property
hotspots. Prices have levelled off, but well-presented
family homes near good schools and commuter routes are
always prime. We’re seeing healthy interest from both
first-time buyers and movers. Affordability is getting better, and with
rates slowly coming down, this is making it worthwhile for first-time
buyers to consider switching renting for purchasing. Longer-term fixed
rates are popular as buyers look for security, but equally, many think
rates will continue to decrease. ere’s also a noticeable rise in later life
lending – releasing money to stay in the family homes and help their
children with a deposit, or retirees exploring options to release equity or
secure flexible borrowing.
We work with a broad panel – from high street names like Nationwide
and Halifax to regional specialists such as Skipton and Coventry Building
Societies. Specialist lenders are also key for more complex cases,
ensuring we can cater to a wide range of client needs.
ere’s a huge amount of commercial development on the outskirts of
Oxford, from the Ellison Institute of Tech to talk of the new railway and
Puy du Fou’s £600m plans for a eme Park in Bicester – exciting times
ahead for all in and around Oxford.
Oxford
Residents
688k
Average age
40.3
Residents per household
2.53
Oxford postcode area.
Source: www.plumplot.co.uk
some exclusive sites for discerning
buyers – we have seen some reviewing
and reworking for portfolio landlords
in line with the Government’s
changes to investment properties.”
Indeed, Meehan points to the scale of
upcoming projects, including “a huge
amount of commercial development
on the outskirts of Oxford, from the
Ellison Institute of Tech to talk of the
new railway and Puy du Fou’s £600m
plans for a Theme Park in Bicester,”
which makes for “exciting times ahead
for all in and around Oxford.”
For Auld, one ongoing development
captures the city’s distinctive
character and ambitions. He says:
“The Oxford North Development is
an example of what makes Oxford a
unique destination, not only in the
UK but globally. This development
will see a million square . of labs
and workspaces, 480 new homes and
three public parks. It is billed as a new
district to enable the next century of
life-changing discoveries in science
and technology.”
Uniquely strong
While Oxford’s housing market may
face the same affordability, regulatory,
and buyer behaviour challenges seen
nationwide, its fundamentals remain
uniquely strong.
Meehan concludes: “Oxford
is one of the UK’s most resilient
property hotspots. Demand is
strong, driven by limited supply, the
university’s global pull, and steady
professional relocation.”
September 2025 | The Intermediary
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