London is a diverse and vibrant city of almost nine million people. The city attracts people from all over the country and the world thanks to its cultural heritage and career opportunities. Verified residents on HomeViews have had their say about the best flats to rent in London. Their reviews provide first-hand accounts of what it’s like to live in some of the city’s most desirable locations. Read on to learn about London’s best rental buildings.
Flats to Rent in London: 10 best buildings as rated by residentsSo, it’s time to reveal the top 10 rental buildings in London, according to the reviews of verified residents. Everything from design and facilities, to the management team, services, location and value for money have been considered. Take a look at the list to see the very best purpose-built rental properties that London has to offer.
Incidentally, we put this together for the recent HomeViews Build to Rent Resident Choice Awards 2022, which you can review in more detail by clicking the link.
London’s top-rated rental development is The Gessner. The development in Tottenham Hale offers 164 apartments to rent. These include a mix of studio, one, two and three-bedroom apartments. In addition, the development offers a range of amenities, including a gym, smart parcel lockers, free super-fast Wi-Fi and an 24-hour on-site team. Furthermore, residents can enjoy rooftop garden views, cosy lounges and an on-site café.
Read reviews and details of The Gessner, N17
North-west London’s second-highest ranked rental building, The Quarters Kilburn has 82 self-contained studios in a superb location. Kilburn Park underground station is a 5-minute walk away, making central London easily accessible.
Residents of The Quarters Kilburn enjoy access to secure parking, a concierge and a lounge. Reviewers also praised the helpful and attentive building management team.
Read reviews and details of The Quarters Kilburn, NW6
There are 104 rental-only one, two and three-bedroom apartments at Dressage Court, a development by Essential Living which occupies third place in our London rental ranking. The development is located in East London. It offers easy access to Bethnal Green’s tube and rail stations, with views towards the City and Canary Wharf. In addition, residents can access a 24-hour on-site team along with shared spaces that are free for all residents to enjoy.
Read reviews and details of Dressage Court, E2
Rising 37 storeys above Canary Wharf’s new Wood Wharf district, 10 George Street is number four in London’s top rental buildings. The development has 327 apartments overlooking waterside gardens and boardwalks below.
Residents have exclusive access to ‘Club Vertus’. This includes access to a 24/7 gym studio, self-service bar, private dining room and lounge. Residents praise the stylish design and the excellent facilities and services, which include a 24-hour concierge.
Read reviews and details of 10 George Street, E14
At number 5, Vantage Point has 118 apartments ranging from studios to one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. All Vantage Point residents get access to a range of services and amenities. These include a 24-hour on-site team, a roof terrace, games room and exercise room.
The development is located in a sought-after position above Archway underground station. Popular Highgate Village and Hampstead Heath are within easy reach.
Read reviews and details of Vantage Point, N19
In sixth place in London’s rental rankings is The Quarters Croydon. The Quarters’ short-term letting scheme offers residents a stylish and convenient base in this thriving South London suburb.
The development includes 151 high-specification studios. Croydon station is only a 4-minute walk away. London Bridge is 14-minutes away by train, while Gatwick Airport is also easily accessible. Residents enjoy the convenient location, conscientious staff and clean and stylish accommodation.
Read reviews and details of The Quarters Croydon, CR0
In seventh place is this development of studios, one, two and three-bedroom apartments at 30 Harbord Square in Canary Wharf. Every apartment has been designed to a high-specification and all residents benefit from waterside views of the Thames or westwards towards Canary Wharf. Canary Wharf’s latest neighbourhood, Wood Wharf, is nearby, a buzzing residential community set within acres of parks, overlooking the O2 and Greenwich.
Read reviews and details of 30 Harbord Square, E14
Eighth position in the top 10 London rental developments goes to be:here Hayes. This stylish residential development has 119 one, two and three-bedroom apartments. The building also includes restaurants, leisure amenities and a music venue.
Additionally, Hayes & Harlington station is just a quarter of a mile away, while the M4, M25 and Heathrow Airport are all easily accessible.
Read reviews and details of be:here Hayes, UB3
A solid showing at number 9, Harrow’s Bradstowe House is conveniently located close to Harrow on the Hill train station. The development includes one and two-bedroom apartments and a number of penthouses, all of which are available as rental-only.
Residents of Bradstowe House have access to an on-site gym, lounge and 24hr concierge. Reviews praise the excellent staff, superb location and spacious accommodation.
Read reviews and details of Bradstowe House, HA1
To round off our top 10 we take a trip to Walthamstow and Blackhorse Mills, a rental only development by Legal & General and Urbanbubble. The development features a roof terrace with a lido, a gym, a yoga studio, a tennis court and resident dining rooms, while the management permits pets and even allows residents to decorate their apartments. Blackhorse Mills overlooks the wilds of Walthamstow Wetlands, yet is just 20 minutes to Central London on the Victoria Line from Blackhorse Road station.
Read reviews and details of Blackhorse Mills, E17
Renting in LondonLondon’s regions and boroughs provide a wonderful choice of locations and lifestyles, with something to suit every taste and need. South and South-east London has a wide range of communities. There is village-like Dulwich, the major hubs of Croydon and Lewisham and the culturally diverse Brixton and Peckham.
South-west London has upmarket Richmond, Wimbledon and Putney, with their boutique shops and busy high streets. Sought-after west-London locations include Fulham, Chiswick, Kensington and the famously fashionable Notting Hill and Chelsea.
North London’s most desirable areas are within touching distance of central London. They include vibrant Camden, desirable Islington and exclusive Hampstead. East London’s popular communities include Hackney and Dalston, as well as the luxury developments of the Docklands.
One of the world’s finest public transport systems connects the city, making it easy to commute to central London. Each area has its own unique appeal and attractions.
Recently, London has also seen a new property development trend for purpose-built rental buildings, or ‘Build to Rent’. These new buildings are providing fresh options for people looking to settle in the city.
What is Build to Rent?Build to rent refers to purpose-built housing developments that are made to rent, rather than sell. Developments are usually newly-built (or newly-converted) apartment blocks, offering an alternative to the traditional private rental sector.
Build to rent apartments can offer some benefits that traditional rentals don’t often provide. Many developments feature on-site management teams, communal areas and green spaces. Some include perks like health club and spa facilities or concierge services, all included in the rental package.
Build to rent properties can offer the security of longer-term tenancies. Some developments offer tenancy terms of three years or longer.
Short-term tenancies can also be offered, depending on your needs. Choosing a build to rent apartment may mean paying more compared to private rental properties. The package on offer, though, tends to include a number of extras that aren’t available to the private renter.
Rental prices in LondonRental prices in London can differ depending on the area and the type of property. Using London.Gov’s London Rental Map, we have put together the definitive list of London rental prices by borough. The list outlines the most expensive and most affordable boroughs to rent in.
Kensington and Chelsea is the most expensive London borough, with a two-bedroom apartment costing on average £2,600 per month, with Westminster a close second at £2,578. This is according to the London Rental Map linked above, using Novmeber 2022 data. The most affordable borough for 2022 is Sutton, with a two-bedroom apartment costing an average of £1,175 per month. Bexley and Barking and Dagenham also offer affordable choices, with an average monthly rent of £1,200 each. To find out more about the average prices of flats to rent in London, take a look at our guide.
Have any of our top 10 rental buildings in London caught your eye? If you’re relocating to London and are wondering which areas to consider, head to our dedicated area guides.
You can view some of our most popular London area guides below, or find them all by visiting our homepage, scrolling down to the ‘Explore by area’ section and selecting ‘Greater London’. From there, you can read about life in each of London’s distinctive regions, and find rental opportunities in each area.
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HomeViews provides verified resident reviews of the UK’s housing developments. We’re working with developers, house builders, operators, housing associations and the Government to recognise high performers and help improve standards in the built environment.