Residential income increased in 2011 by 5.9% to contribute £74 per acre (£183 per ha) to the average estate. This represented 38% of gross income.

Average annual rental income for Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) on ’All Estates’ increased 5% during 2011 to £8,300 per dwelling. This maintains the steady above-inflation growth recorded during the past three years. Average rental levels were highest in the South East of England at over £10,700 per dwelling (see Graph 3 in the gallery).

AST occupancy represented 76% of all let housing stock on the average estate in 2011. This was a slight increase last year; continuing the steady upward trend seen over the past 12 years.

Opportunities ahead

Average regulated rents on ’All Estates’ increased by 4.3% to £4,750 per dwelling in 2011. The current climate of high inflation presents an opportunity to review rents and close the gap with ASTs.

Increasing numbers of would-be homeowners are being forced into the rented sector as stringent mortgage lending criteria and high deposits push home ownership out of reach for many. For rural estates these factors present a real opportunity to capitalise on the increased demand for remand accommodation both in terms of higher market rents for existing stock and the creation of more housing through the conversion of redundant farm buildings as planning rules are relaxed.

Taken from 
Estate Benchmarking Survey 2011