We have some exciting news to share! The Motley Fool UK has now become The Twelfth Magpie -- an independent, UK-owned company, led by our long-serving UK management team — Mark Rogers, Chris Nials and Heather Adlington. In practical terms, it’s the same team you know, now fully focused on serving our UK readers and members.

Just as importantly, our approach remains unchanged: long-term, jargon-free, and on your side. This site is our new home, and there will be extra tweaks made across the coming few days as we settle in. So if anything looks a little off, please bear with us!

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

2 top passive income shares to consider buying in May

Royston Wild thinks now’s a great time to go shopping for UK passive income shares. Here are two of his favourites for both short- and long-term investors.

| More on:
Middle-aged black male working at home desk

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

The London stock market’s packed with brilliant passive income shares. Here are two I believe will pay a huge — and growing — dividend now and in the future.

Safe as houses?

Construction giant Vistry Group (LSE:VTY) has enormous growth potential, given the perky outlook for the British housing sector.

XXX

The near-term picture remains uncertain as mortgage rates rise again and the economy struggles. But house prices are expected to rise over a longer time horizon as conditions improve and the growing population boosts homes demand.

Estate agent Savills thinks average property values will rise £61,500 between now and 2028. Vistry’s decision to focus on partnerships sets it in good shape to capitalise on this fertile landscape too.

This will boost the FTSE 250 firm’s completion numbers in the years ahead. It will also help the builder better capitalise on the affordable homes segment, where demand’s especially high.

Finally, Vistry’s partnerships model will allow it to release higher amounts of cash. This is because local authorities and housing associations shoulder the majority of the construction costs. This frees up money the company can use to invest in the business, as well as return to shareholders.

With City analysts also tipping it to rebound strongly in the next few years, dividends are expected to rise strongly through to 2026, as the table below shows.

YearDividend per shareDividend yield
202450.5p3.9%
202567.3p5.3%
202680.2p6.3%

This means the dividend yield on Vistry shares accelerates above the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 averages. These stand way back at 3.6% and 3.3% respectively.

Rentals giant

Property giant The PRS REIT (LSE:PRSR) isn’t expected to grow dividends as rapidly over the next couple of years. But it’s still another excellent income stock to consider, in my opinion.

This is thanks in part to its classification as a real estate investment trust (REIT). Sector rules mean it must pay at least 90% of annual profits from its rental operations out in the form of dividends.

Please note that tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in future. The content in this article is provided for information purposes only. It is not intended to be, neither does it constitute, any form of tax advice.

It’s also because of the dependable income the company receives from its tenants. Rent collection here came in at 99% during the six months to December 2023, illustrating the stable nature of residential rentals.

Finally, PRS is thriving as rental costs in the UK shoot through the roof. Latest official data showed average rents rose 9% in the 12 months to February. This was the highest rate of growth on record.

Combined, these qualities typically result in the company offering an above-average (and rising) dividend yield, as shown below.

YearDividend per shareDividend yield
20244p4.9%
20254.15%
20264.4p5.4%

PRS’s share price has dipped in 2024 as hopes of significant interest rate cuts have receded. Higher rates depress net asset values (NAVs) for property stocks and, by extension, provide a drag on earnings.

Yet I think the potential dividends I could receive over the next few years make the company worth serious consideration today.

Royston Wild has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

More on Investing Articles

Friends and sisters exploring the outdoors together in Cornwall. They are standing with their arms around each other at the coast.
Investing Articles

£503 buys 14 shares in this FTSE 250 stock that returned 23.9% annually for the last 15 years

This FTSE 250 stock has averaged a huge return for 15 years. At today's price, £503 buys 14 shares. But…

Read more »

Black woman using loudspeaker to be heard
Investing Articles

£1,000 buys 25 shares in this FTSE 100 stock that’s returned 29.2% annually for the last 10 years

This FTSE 100 mining stock has returned close to 30% a year for a decade. At 3,995p, £1,000 buys 25…

Read more »

Female student sitting at the steps and using laptop
Investing Articles

Down 47%, is this growth stock finally worth buying in May?

With a £288m order book and a hidden pipeline of defence and nuclear contracts, is this growth stock now too…

Read more »

House models and one with REIT - standing for real estate investment trust - written on it.
Investing Articles

2 REITs yielding 7%+ to consider for passive income in 2026

A REIT backed by the NHS and another backed by Tesco and Sainsbury's with both yielding 7%+. Here's why I'm…

Read more »

Woman riding her old fashioned bicycle along the Beach Esplanade at Aberdeen, Scotland.
Investing Articles

Just 97 shares of this UK dividend stock generate £238 in passive income

A 5.7% yield, £238 in passive income from just 97 shares, and one of the most divisive dividend stocks on…

Read more »

ISA coins
Investing Articles

£10,000 in an ISA generates a second income of…

The London Stock Exchange is home to some of the world's most generous dividends. But how big a second income…

Read more »

Shot of a senior man drinking coffee and looking thoughtfully out of a window
Investing Articles

Expert recommendations: 2 top income stocks yielding 7%+!

With yields of 7.2% and 7.8% respectively, these two income stocks are catching the eyes of institutional analysts. Should investors…

Read more »

Illustration of flames over a black background
Investing Articles

3 top income-focused stocks to buy in May 2026, according to experts

Looking for a stock to buy for income in May 2026? Experts have flagged these three UK dividend shares as…

Read more »