Why you should ALWAYS check the crime rate before you decide to buy a house


Updated on 04 April 2018 | 0 Comments

Crime levels have a real impact on property prices according to new research, with a drop in crime resulting in a rise in house values.

If you’re looking to buy a new property then it is prudent to look at crime levels before you exchange, as new data shows that the safest places to live are also the safest places to invest.

Research by property buying company Good Move has found that in the 26 areas in the UK where crime fell between 2016 and 2017, 85% saw an increase in house prices.

READ MORE: Phil Spencer's 7 things you need to know before buying a home

The research, which draws on the latest police data as well as stats from the 2018 UK House Price Index, shows that the safer the area, the more attractive it is to prospective buyers.

The safest bets

Eden in Cumbria (pictured above) has seen the biggest correlation, with a 5.93% drop in crime coinciding with a 10.28% increase in house prices.

Wellingborough in Northamptonshire has also been revealed as a safe bet as a drop in reported crime has seen asking prices soar by 8.15%.

Area / District

Crime change between 2016/17 (ranked)

House price change (Dec 17 - Jan 18)

Craven

-12.32%

2.09%

Hambleton

-8.69%

1.83%

South Lakeland

-6.16%

2.66%

Eden

-5.93%

10.28%

York

-5.90%

-0.07%

Chesterfield

-4.84%

2.12%

High Peak

-4.74%

3.17%

North East Derbyshire

-4.30%

3.23%

Derbyshire Dales

-3.98%

2.05%

Wellingborough

-3.71%

8.15%

On the flip side, in areas where crime is on the up, house prices have fallen drastically with the City of London seeing a drop of 7.94% in property prices following a 14.80% rise in crime.

The sweet spots

A separate piece of research by estate agent Emoov has also pinpointed areas across England and Wales where low crime levels and low house prices combine to offer the safest, most affordable areas, with the county of Rutland in the East Midlands topping the list. 

Other areas where potential buyers can be assured of affordable prices and low crime rates include West Somerset, Eden in Cumbria, Ryedale and Richmondshire in North Yorkshire, and Purbeck in Dorset. Here are the top ten areas for the best mix of low crimes and affordable property prices, according to Emoov's research:

Area

Crimes reported in 2017

% difference in crimes compared to Eng & W average

Average house price

% difference in house price to Eng & W average

Rutland

15,22

-1,203%

£297,320

20%

West Somerset

18,59

-966%

£215,630

-11%

Eden

24,41

-712%

£206,713

-15%

Ryedale

26,89

-637%

£238,321

0%

Richmondshire

29,24

-578%

£201,638

-18%

Purbeck

28,17

-604%

£332,357

28%

Craven

30,67

-546%

£208,570

-14%

West Devon

30,39

-552%

£250,893

5%

Melton

31,72

-525%

£206,795

-15%

Torridge

36,49

-443%

£224,135

-6%

England and Wales

19,826* (Average not total)

N/A

£238,336

N/A

“Unfortunately for many, the cost of getting on the ladder means they don’t have the luxury of considering crime rates when looking to buy," says Russell Quirk, founder and CEO of Emoov.co.uk. "City living also remains popular despite a higher tendency for crime in more populated urban environments."

“That said, the good news is that there are a number of areas across England and Wales with affordable price tags and a lower propensity for crime. As always, doing your research is key during the property buying process and can really help refine your search even before you reach the likes of Rightmove and Zoopla," he added.

You can check out crime levels in your prospective area at https://goodmove.co.uk/crime-time/

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