Nottingham. A city of legend & a great property opportunity (starting with a 5% deposit)

You too can be a one of the merry men (or women) by investing here with a deposit of just 5%!

Buying an investment property in the UK, a low-risk and steady market is much more affordable than you might think.

This conversion development has a low entry point with an excellent yield. Deposit of just 5% and easy payment plans. Nottingham has a shortfall of quality rental property so there is high demand and above average rental yields

The city of Nottingham is probably best known for the legend of Robin Hood and his Merry Men, the outlaws who stole from the rich to give to the poor. With this incredible investment opportunity, you don’t need to be rich, or to steal from the rich, to invest.

This is a stylish collection of new 106 studios and one-bedroom apartments set in its own grounds with the widest array of in-house amenities in Nottingham, including 24/7 concierge, residents’ gym, shared lounges, gardens, private courtyard, collaborative workspace, meeting rooms and a games & entertainment room.

The development is located on the edge of the River Leen, which is 1.9m from Nottingham city centre, a 10-minute journey. The city was voted in the top 10 places to live in the UK in a survey in The Sunday Times and has a relaxed vibe.

With a low initial deposit of just 5%, you pay the balance of the deposit to 30%, by way of monthly payments.

Quick facts:

Studios at just £149,995
One beds at just £164,995
Mix of studios and one-bed apartments
Yields of 7%
Growth of 16% predicted by 2028
999 year lease
Completion Q3 2027
Initial deposit of only 5%
Easy payment options
Parking spaces available. Priced at £10,900 each
Excellent amenities in property
Gated access

Why Nottingham?

This historic city offers so much for resident and for investors. This East Midland city dates back to around 700 AD and as well as the legendary outlaw, it is known for lace-making, bicycles and the home of Boots the Chemist.

Nottingham offers a great mix of affordability, vibrant culture, and convenient amenities with prices lower than London, Birmingham or Manchester.

With a large student population (est, 62,000) and three universities, the city is a vibrant and lively place, especially for young professionals and students. These are the people you want as tenants. The retention rate for student is very high at over 40% staying in the area after graduation.

A growing tech and service sector is drawing in graduates and professionals, especially in areas like fintech and digital media.

The city has seen average property growth of 17% in the past four years and it often ranks among the top UK cities for rental yields.

As the 11^th largest city in the UK, the size is not overwhelming and is in great countryside, including the famous Sherwood Forest. It has everything you would expect, as well as great connectivity. Just 25 minutes from East Midlands Airport (serving 4.5 million+ passengers yearly) and under one hour from Birmingham International Airport.

Nottingham is the East Midlands’ largest economy. The headquarters of several large companies are based in the city and the local unemployment rate is below the national average.

How to buy

It is easier than you think. You need an initial deposit of just 5% of the purchase price plus legal fee of £1,500. You then make monthly payments for 24 months to build up to a full deposit of 30%.

At that time, the development will have completed and you can take out a mortgage for the remaining 70%. Help will be on hand for that. At completion Stamp Duty is payable as is standard for UK property purchases.

All costs are fully disclosed and explained to you before you go ahead. Both the developer and I are around to answer any ongoing questions although you will receive regular updates during the build process

What are the actual costs?

This is an example of what you could expect to pay although it will obviously vary depending on actual purchase price and reservation date

Purchase price £164,995 (one bed apartment)

Reservation deposit £8,249.75 5% – plus initial legal fee of £1,500

24 monthly payments of £1,718.70 @19/08/25 that is AED 8,524/SAR8,7063

After 24 months, at completion, you will have paid a deposit of 35% so only need to pay the balance of £115,496.

At time of writing, an expat mortgage could have an interest rate of 5.5%. For a repayment mortgage over 20 years, the monthly payment would be just £794. Over 25 years, you would pay only £709 per month. Either way, less than you had been paying for the deposit so you are only paying a higher amount for two years.

In time, you will own a property outright that can pay you an income for life if wanted. A sensible part of a retirement strategy. Remember this is not a get-rich-quick scheme but a low-risk plan for the future. You benefit from capital growth over time, as well as steady income

If you would rather pay a bit more upfront and less over the build period, you can do that too. Choose from the minimum deposit of 5%, or pay 10/15/20% if have the cash and pay very little each month. The choice is yours.

Bonus Fun fact

The name Nottingham comes from the Old Englis Snotingaham, meaning “homestead of the Snotingas, that is, “the family or followers of a man called Snot”. The loss of the initial S is due to Norman influence. [Wikipedia]

If you want a steady. Long-term investment that will provide you with an income, this is what you want to look at. You don’t need to wait months, or even years, to save up a large deposit.

You won’t have any concerns about the market as UK property volatility is minimal. High legal protection and this project is fully funded.

More info about Nottingham & why it’s a good place to buy

Strategic Central Location: Positioned in the heart of the UK, Nottingham remains a thriving hub for business, education, and tourism, with excellent national and international connectivity.
Air Travel Access: Just 25 minutes from East Midlands Airport (serving 4.5 million+ passengers yearly) and under 1 hour from Birmingham International Airport.
Major Employers Based Locally: Headquarters or major operations include Boots UK, Capital One, Experian, Vision Express, and Games Workshop, anchoring the city’s economy.
Knowledge-Driven Economy: Over 60% of local employment is in high-skill, knowledge-intensive sectors, including fintech, medtech, and life sciences, well above the UK average (ONS 2024). Excellent transport links to the main Nottingham train and bus stations.
Excellent Public Transport: 0.3 miles/6 mins walk to Nottingham Train Station. Well-connected by tram, rail, and bus, Nottingham offers direct access to London St. Pancras in 1 hour 40 mins, with 70+ trains daily. Over 70 trains a day run directly to London St. Pancras International.
East Midlands Growth Engine: The region continues to outperform, with the East Midlands ranked among the top 3 fastest-growing UK regions for GVA and employment growth (ONS 2024).
World-Class Education Hub: Home to two top-ranked universities – the University of Nottingham (Russell Group) and Nottingham Trent University – educating over 70,000 students combined.
High Student Retention & Employability: Nottingham Trent was named University of the Year 2023 (WhatUni Student Choice Awards). NTU and UoN both report >90% graduate employability within 6 months.
European & Global Links: Direct rail to London St. Pancras connects Nottingham to Eurostar services to Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam, enhancing global accessibility.
Award-Winning Tram Network: The Nottingham Express Transit system now covers 32 km and has been named one of the most sustainable transit systems in the UK.
Rising Property Values: Nottingham’s property prices are now 17% higher than in 2020 (Land Registry, May 2025), driven by population growth, regeneration, and rental demand.

How do I find out more?

Get in touch! Click on this link to send me an email: keren@holbornassets.com Contact form at end of article for convenience too.

I have brochures, pricing schedules, full financial details – all the information that you need to know.

You get the all the facts you need, inlcuding the Stamp Duty calculations payable on purchase based on your personal situation, the potential mortgage costs and more.

We even arrange the life insurance and wills to protect your and the property.

We can have a relaxed and friendly chat without any obligation. All initial meetings are over Zoom for maximum convenience.

To arrange a discussion about any aspect of your personal financial planning, please email me at keren@holbornassets.com

Expert, qualified, professional advice on a range of issues including general financial planning, life and critical illness cover, investments and UK pensions, wills and inheritance tax planning, UK tax, offshore banking, citizenship programmes, currency transfers and more.

I write articles such as this one as part of the holistic personal financial planning service and that I provide to expats. Plus the general consumer, financial and legal information that I provide in The National newspaper, other media, and on the Facebook group British Expats Dubai.