Glossary definition
Yield
The annual return on a property investment expressed as a percentage, calculated by dividing the annual rental income by the property value. Yield is the fundamental metric for valuing income-producing property and is used by investors, valuers, and lenders to assess the attractiveness of an investment.
Definition
The annual return on a property investment expressed as a percentage, calculated by dividing the annual rental income by the property value. Yield is the fundamental metric for valuing income-producing property and is used by investors, valuers, and lenders to assess the attractiveness of an investment. Lower yields generally indicate lower-risk, higher-value locations, while higher yields suggest higher risk or less prime locations.
See also
Closely related terms.
Gross Yield
The annual rental income from a property expressed as a percentage of its purchase price or market value, before deducting any expenses.
Net Yield
The annual rental income from a property expressed as a percentage of its purchase price or market value, after deducting all operating expenses such as management fees, maintenance, insurance, and void periods.
DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio)
A financial metric that measures the ability of a property's net operating income to cover its annual debt service obligations, calculated as net operating income divided by total debt service.
ICR (Interest Cover Ratio)
A measure of how comfortably a property's rental income covers the interest payments on a loan, calculated as annual rental income divided by annual interest costs.
Further reading
Guides that touch this term.
Guide
Commercial Mortgages in the UK: A Complete Guide
Everything you need to know about commercial mortgages in the UK - from eligibility criteria and rental coverage ratios to how lenders value multi-let properties and what lease length matters.
4 min read readReadGuide
UK Development Finance Market 2026: Rates, Trends and Outlook
A comprehensive overview of the UK development finance market in 2026, covering current interest rates, lender appetite, emerging trends, and what developers should expect over the coming 12 months.
9 min read readReadGuide
RICS Red Book Valuations for Development: What Lenders Require
A comprehensive guide to RICS Red Book valuations in development finance, covering what lenders require, how valuations are structured, and how to ensure your scheme is accurately assessed.
11 min read readRead
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