Bradford house prices and rents are increasing faster than the rest of Yorkshire, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Statistics show the average house price in Bradford was £180,000 – a 7.4% rise on the previous year. But according to reports, the average house price across the rest of Yorkshire and the Humber rose by just 4.7% over the previous period.
And it’s not just house prices that have risen in Bradford as rents have also seen an annual increase of 8.2%. Figures show that since last year, the average cost of rent went up from £631 a month to £683 in July 2024. This is higher than the rise in Yorkshire and the Humber of 7.0% over the year.
However, Bradford still has some of the cheapest houses in Yorkshire, with the average home in the Central Bradford & Barkerend West area costing just £58,995.
The BBC reports that the ONS could not explain the reasoning behind the staggering difference, but Bob Felstead, a councillor for the Wharfedale area of Bradford, said that expensive houses being built are bringing the average up in the city.
“Significant numbers of new homes are being delivered in the green belt, where prices are between £750,000 and £1,000,000,” said Mr Felstead, who used to work as a data analyst in Westminster.
“I expect that these homes are not being bought by Bradfordians overall, rather well-paid people who principally commute to Leeds.”
However, housing associations appear are divided on whether an increase in house prices is good or bad for Bradford.
A spokesperson for Manningham Housing Association said:
“Rising house prices indicate an improving economy which is good news for everyone, particularly in Bradford district where there is a continuous partnership effort to boost economic activity and improve life chances.”
But Andy Wallhead, chair of the West Yorkshire Housing Partnership, said that “soaring” property prices have “made it even more challenging for many people to find a safe and secure place they can afford to call home”.
“Across West Yorkshire, house prices have reached six times the average annual wage and there are approximately 85,000 people and families stuck on housing waiting lists,” he said.
“The need for more affordable homes is clear and we’re pleased this is being treated as a matter of urgency by the government.”
A government spokesperson said:
“We will help people onto the housing ladder by building 1.5 million homes and delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation.
“Work is already underway with the reintroduction of annual housing targets and our plans to overhaul the planning system.
“We will also help renters with our Renters’ Rights Bill which will transform rights for the 11 million private tenants in England.”
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