The most popular areas of London for renters are Forest Gate, Abbey Wood and Crystal Palace.
As rent prices continue to rise in London, areas further away from the city centre are becoming increasingly popular with renters. In this guide, we explore the most popular areas of London for different types of renters including families, commuters and couples.
London’s most popular areas for renters
Areas further afield in South London such as Abbey Wood, accessible on the Elizabeth Line, has become a highly popular area for renters with SpareRoom searches tripling in the last year. Another South London destination, Crystal Palace, has also stood out as a favourite spot for renters.
Out in the East, Forest Gate has also experienced a boom in popularity with a 157% increase in searches by renters.
These areas still boast relatively low rental costs – around £796 per room in Abbey Wood, £827 in Forest Gate and £833 for a room to rent in Crystal Palace.
Other popular areas highlighted for renters include Woolwich, Tottenham and Plaistow. Formerly popular rental destinations, such as Clapham, have remained so. However, at an average rental price of £1,072 monthly per room, it is easy to see why its popularity has decreased.
The most popular areas searched for by renters currently are between 7-11 miles away from central London. Basically, the further out, the more affordable and the more affordable, the more likely renters are to want to live there.
Area | Region | Average Rent (per room) | Reasons for Popularity |
---|---|---|---|
Abbey Wood | South London | £796 | Accessible via the Elizabeth Line; growing popularity |
Crystal Palace | South London | £833 | Affordable; trendy spot |
Forest Gate | East London | £827 | Significant increase in rental searches; affordability |
Woolwich | South London | £853 | Convenient location |
Tottenham | North London | £884 | Amenities and connectivity |
Plaistow | East London | £820 | Affordable housing options |
Data by SpareRoom
What are the cheapest areas of London for renters?
Renters looking for somewhere on a budget tend to look for areas that offer the convenience and amenities of London without the central London price tag.
Neighborhoods such as Croydon, Sutton and Barking and Dagenham still offer affordable options for renters in London. Although not in a central location, renters here can benefit from easy connections to London and towns with plenty of amenities and things to enjoy.
Average rent in these areas for a one-bedroom flat is around £1,400 to £1,450.
Other zones offering cheaper rent in London include Bexley, Enfield, Hillingdon and Havering.
What are the best locations for couples renting in London?
If you’re looking to rent a place as a couple and want to enjoy everything London has to offer, some of the best locations include Islington, Brixton and Greenwich. Islington offers great culture from some of the finest international restaurants to great night life. It’s a fun place to rent as a couple and still fairly affordable for such a central position, with an average price of around £1,841 pcm for a one-bedroom flat.
South of the river, Brixton is still a trendy spot for couples and young professionals. A multicultural melting pot, Brixton always has something fun to offer – from live music to markets. Rent here is around £1,400 pcm for a one-bedroom flat – an affordable option for a working couple in London.
In the South, there is also Greenwich. Boasting a maritime history, a village feel and green spaces, as well as a convenient distance from central London, prices here start around £1600 for a one-bedroom flat.
Most popular areas of London for families looking to rent
The London Borough of Harrow is growing in popularity for renters. In Zone 4-5 of London, between 30-45 minutes out of the city centre, it has a range of flats and family homes available for renters and plenty of good schools in the district. The average rent price for a three bed house in Harrow is around £583pw.
For families looking for a great blend of city and greenery, Sidcup is in the south of London. With plenty of great schools and a more relaxed pace of life than the city centre, it is the perfect place for families looking to rent in London. The average price to rent a three bed house in Sidcup is around £1,723 pcm.
Other destinations for family homes to rent in London include Raynes Park, Willesden, St John’s Wood and Hackney. These areas all boast proximity to the centre of London, green spaces and good schools.
Where are the best areas to rent in London for flatshares?
If you are looking to rent an affordable room in a flatshare, some London spots are more affordable than others.
In South London, Thamesmead, Abbey Wood and Lee all offer affordable housing options with a price of around £650 per room. Similarly priced are the areas of Manor Park, Chingford and East Ham.
According to SpareRoom, prices include:
What are the areas of highest rental growth in London?
For landlords looking at where to buy rental properties in London, they should look for areas with the highest rental growth where it will be easy to source tenants. Properties in London are always going to be lucrative for landlords with data from Savills suggesting a 6% increase in average rent in 2024. However, some areas in particular are showing exponential growth.
Hillingdon is the area with the highest rental growth in London with an annual growth of 23% in asking rents for new tenants. Close behind are Newham (20%), Harrow (19%), Barking and Dagenham (18%) and Redbridge (18%).
Area | Annual Rental Growth | Reasons for Growth |
---|---|---|
Hillingdon | 23% | Increased demand; proximity to Heathrow |
Newham | 20% | Affordable rents attracting tenants |
Harrow | 19% | Family-friendly; excellent schools |
Barking and Dagenham | 18% | Budget-friendly with good transport links |
Redbridge | 18% | Growing demand and rental appeal |
Data by Unbiased.
How can a property management company help landlords appeal to renters?
Wherever you are looking to rent out your property in London, working with a property management company can ensure it is done properly.
These companies can expertly market your property so that it appeals to tenants and offers a price that is competitive for them and profitable for you.
At J Property Management, we are experts of the local market and know exactly how to rent your property at its full potential. If you have multiple properties across different areas of London, we can also help you manage your property portfolio.
Looking for expert property managers in London? Get in touch with us at info@www.jpropertymanagement.co.uk to find out more.
Cheaper areas, higher popularity for renters
As London rents increase year-on-year, the most popular areas for renters are those which are still fairly affordable.
Many commuters, young professionals or even families seek out areas of London which combine proximity to the city and amenities with affordable rent. For more information renting in London or landlord tips, check out our property management guides.