London has been at the forefront of the UK’s Build to Rent boom since the outset, with a host of outstanding rental-only developments appearing across the capital. We’ve compiled this ranking of the highest-rated Build to Rent developments in the city, as rated by verified residents on HomeViews. Read on if you’re interested in learning about the best rental developments in London.
Build to Rent developments are designed specifically for renters. A Build to Rent landlord or management company owns and maintains the entire development, including looking after all services. Read more about Build to Rent here.
HomeViews’ mission is to provide verified and honest insights into what it’s like to live in new build developments. Since launch, we’ve expanded across the UK and have published thousands of reviews of developments around the country. Read our area guides for London to look at the highest-ranked developments in your preferred locations.
Top 10 developments to rent in London
Let’s take a look at the top-rated Build to Rent developments across London. As ever with HomeViews, the rankings are based solely on the reviews of verified residents of each development.
*PLEASE NOTE these rankings take into account how many reviews a scheme has and how recently those reviews have been submitted, so may not match the overall star ratings shown. Buildings with a larger number of more recent reviews are given a greater weighting to reflect current building performance.
Currently taking the top spot for London’s best loved rental developments is The Palm House, in green and serene Harrow. It’s just a 12 minute train from Euston, and it’s filled with fully-furnished studio apartments and shared spaces, each designed for an effortless living experience. You’ll enjoy an onsite co-working space, gym, cinema, cafe and two panoramic roof terraces, all included in your monthly rent. You can meet your neighbours and get stuck in at daily events, from boxing classes to wine tasting masterclasses.
Long-term letting scheme The Quarters Croydon takes the number 2 spot, and offers residents a stylish and convenient base in this thriving South London suburb. There are 151 high-specification studios at the development, with Croydon station only a 4-minute walk away. Trains reach London Bridge in just 14 minutes, while Gatwick Airport is also easily accessible.
The Gessner in Tottenham Hale may have only just slipped from second to third, but it’s still a top-rated development that 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.
In at number 4 we have a high-rising prospect that residents love most in the summer. There are 104 rental-only one, two and three-bedroom apartments at Dressage Court, a development by Essential Living, each offering a winning combination of charm and comfort.
One happy resident here says: “The development is super comfortable. The furniture is really nice and sleek looking. I really enjoy the common areas and love having friends over to host things. We have an apartment with a balcony that is huge, great for summer.”
Taking the middle spot in our London rental list is be:here Hayes, a residential development comprising 119 one, two and three-bedroom apartments. It offers commercial units including restaurants, leisure amenities and a music venue. In addition, the development is close to Hayes & Harlington station, the M4, M25 and Heathrow Airport.
In 6th, The Lark is an Allsop Lettings and Management development situated in Nine Elms. Residents benefit from Nine Elms Park on their doorstep and a car-free pathway between Battersea Power Station and Vauxhall Cross. Additionally, Battersea Power Station is just a 5 minute walk away, and Vauxhall Station is 15 minutes away. Furthermore, the Lark offers a coworking space, a residents’ lounge, onsite parking, an onsite gym and pet friendly living spaces.
AT number 7, Blackhorse Mills is more than just a home; it’s a way of life. Somewhere you can feel totally free. To paint the walls, bring your pets, swim in the lido, chill on the roof terrace, work out in the gym, host friends in the dining rooms, stretch in the yoga studio, and a whole lot more besides. Overlooking the wilds of Walthamstow Wetlands, yet just 20 minutes to Central London on the Victoria Line from Blackhorse Road station, Blackhorse Mills has nature and city life down.
8th place goes to a perennial London favourite, Greystar’s Sailmakers. This is a Build to Rent scheme, which comprises 327 units. It is within the mixed-use Galliard Homes development, Harbour Central. The site is situated on the Isle of Dogs close to the River Thames, and less than a 10-minute walk from the heart of Canary Wharf. In addition, transport links come courtesy of nearby South Quay DLR and Canary Wharf’s DLR and Underground services. Residents enjoy fast and frequent connections to the likes of Bank and Monument.
Vantage Point takes 9th place, and is a Build to Rent development by Essential Living, offering 118 apartments – studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. All Vantage Point residents get access to a range of features and amenities. These include a 24-hour onsite team, a roof terrace, games room and exercise room. In addition, the development is above Archway London Underground station in the North London Borough of Islington. Residents are also close to Upper Street, Emirates Stadium and Highgate Village.
Finally, taking the 10th spot is Union Wharf, a development from London property developer Essential Living. It features 249 rental-only apartments on the banks of Deptford Creek near Greenwich’s town centre. It houses a collection of one, two and three-bedroom apartments. In addition, Union Wharf is close to the Cutty Sark DLR station for fast and frequent connections to Canary Wharf.
Build to Rent: luxury living in the capital’s most desirable areas
The Gessner, N17
The acceleration of Build to Rent development has seen a wealth of impressive developments crop up in some of London’s most desirable areas. Canary Wharf has been a particular magnet for Build to Rent new build development, with several of London’s most popular developments featuring in this centre of finance and commerce.
There has also been a proliferation of new Build to Rent developments in some of the city’s best-connected suburbs and neighbourhoods within touching distance of the centre. The high-end facilities and convenient services provided by Build to Rent developments marry well with residents’ preferences for being close to the action, so they can enjoy everything this great city has to offer.
London’s Build to Rent boom
London has been at the heart of the Build to Rent revolution, with other UK cities, including Manchester and Birmingham, playing catchup in recent years. According to the British Property Federation (BPF), out of the 253,402 Build to Rent homes in the UK in mid-2023, 97,294 of them were in London (38%). The second quarter of 2023 saw a 13% increase in Build to Rent homes entering the planning stage compared to the same quarter in 2022. This shows the Build to rent sector is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
HomeViews provides verified resident reviews of the UK’s housing developments. We’re working with developers, landlords and the Government to recognise high performers and help to improve standards in the built environment.
Join us at the 2024 Resident Choice Awards
HomeViews’ Resident Choice Awards are coming on 23rd February 2024. Take your seat among the UK’s most outstanding and innovative BTR developers to celebrate the very best Build to Rent operators, developments and teams, including new categories for Build to Sell and Shared Ownership brands.
As always, the awards will be based solely on the experiences of those who matter most: the residents. No entry forms, no judging panels and no sponsorship requirements – just verified resident reviews on HomeViews.
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