Almost 43,000 rental properties are available across the London rental market, and the mix of property types varies sharply by borough, according to research by London lettings and estate agent Benham and Reeves.
Hillingdon, Havering and Barnet offer the broadest range of property types, while other boroughs are dominated by a single type.
The analysis covered 42,598 rental properties across London’s 32 boroughs and the City of London, examining the overall volume of rental stock and the proportion of detached, semi-detached, terraced and flat listings in each location.
Flats account for 84.7% of available listings, or 36,061 properties. Houses make up the rest, with 3,692 terraced, 1,723 semi-detached and 1,122 detached homes available across the capital.
Westminster holds largest share of London rental market
Westminster accounts for 11% of London’s available rental stock, followed by Kensington and Chelsea (8.2%), Tower Hamlets (7%), Brent (5.6%) and Barnet (5.1%). Together, the five boroughs hold more than a third of all rental properties on the market.
Hillingdon, Havering and Barnet offer broadest mix
Some boroughs are heavily dominated by flats, while others offer a greater mix of rental accommodation, particularly for tenants seeking houses. Hillingdon ranks first for the proportion of semi-detached rental properties (15.5%) and fourth for detached homes (7.6%). Havering ranks second for both semi-detached (13.5%) and terraced properties (25.3%).
Barnet holds 5.1% of London’s total available rental stock and ranks joint second for the proportion of detached homes (8.3%). Bexley also features in the top five boroughs for both semi-detached and terraced availability.
Flats lead in City of London, Tower Hamlets and Islington
The City of London has the highest proportion of rental stock made up of flats, at 99.4%. Tower Hamlets ranks second at 95.2%, followed by Islington (94.5%), Westminster (93.8%) and Hackney (92.7%).
Kingston upon Thames leads for detached homes
Detached properties make up 8.7% of Kingston upon Thames’ available rental stock, the highest proportion in London. Barnet and Bromley follow at 8.3% each, with Hillingdon (7.6%) and Enfield (6.9%) completing the top five. Across the London rental market as a whole, detached homes account for 2.6% of available stock.
Hillingdon leads for semi-detached homes
Semi-detached homes make up 15.5% of Hillingdon’s available rental listings, the highest share in London. Havering ranks second at 13.5%, followed by Hounslow (12.7%), Harrow (12.6%) and Bexley (10.3%). All five boroughs sit above the London-wide average of 4%.
Barking and Dagenham leads for terraced homes
Terraced properties account for 28.9% of available rental stock in Barking and Dagenham, the highest proportion in London. Havering ranks second at 25.3%, followed by Redbridge (20.1%), Newham (18.1%) and Bexley (17.1%), against 8.7% across London as a whole.
“There’s been no shortage of doom and gloom surrounding London’s rental market, particularly as landlords and letting agents adjust to the changes brought about by the Renters’ Rights Act,” said Marc von Grundherr, director.
“However, it’s important that we don’t lose sight of the fact that London remains a substantial and diverse rental market, with almost 43,000 properties currently available to tenants across the capital.
He added, “Of course, there’s a general perception that renting in London means living in a flat or apartment and, to an extent, that’s understandable. Flats are by far the most common rental property type, with both lifestyle preferences and affordability making them the most accessible option for many tenants.However, renters certainly aren’t restricted to flat living alone, with thousands of houses also available across the capital.
“The key is knowing where to look, as the type of rental accommodation on offer varies considerably from one borough to the next. Whether tenants are looking for a flat, a terraced house or a larger family home, an experienced letting agent can help them identify the areas best suited to their needs and budget.”
