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Where to rent new-builds in London
Once defined by period properties, typically built in the Victorian, Edwardian and interwar periods, London’s housing stock has been augmented by numerous modern developments this century. With the UK capital’s population swelling from 7.1 million in 2000 to 9.7 million today, the need to build up has never been greater. The result is new-build apartment blocks that cater to modern living requirements: energy efficient, soundproof, customisable finishes, efficient use of space, good location, on-site amenities, and low maintenance.
If modern apartment living appeals to you, the next step is to explore what types of developments are available and where they’ve been built or are planned to be built.
What you’ll learn in this quick guide
- Where to look for new-build residential properties in London.
- How to find the best new-build residential properties.
Where are the best new-builds in London
North and south, east and west, London has seen new-build residential properties spring up across its urban landscape. Let’s explore some of the most popular options.
Old Street
Old Street runs into trendy Hoxton and Shoreditch and sits on the doorstep of The City – the financial heart of London. The new-build property in this part of town reflects its juxtaposed location, such as 250 City Road. This luxury development, set to be completed by the end of 2024 offers one to three-bedroom apartments and high-end amenities such as a gym, concierge services, and eco-friendly features – perfect for city workers or creatives.
Nine Elms (Battersea)
A whole new London neighbourhood, including a shiny tube station, is being built from the ground up in Nine Elms – a riverside location that stretches from Vauxhall Bridge to Battersea Power Station. Part of one of Europe’s largest regeneration zones, the area contains a swathe of attractive new luxury property developments, including St George’s Wharf, Nine Elms Point and Battersea Power Station. Read more about Battersea here.
Wembley
There’s more to Wembley than FA Cup finals and Taylor Swift concerts, as illustrated by the area’s massive regeneration programme. This vast project has seen exciting new developments spring up close to the iconic stadium, such as Wembley Park Gardens, Empire One Wembley, and Fulton & Fifth.
Royal Docks
Situated on the eastern fringes of London, the Royal Docks comprise the Royal Albert Dock, the Royal Victoria Dock and the King George V Dock. Once a derelict part of town, the area is now at the centre of the solution for the housing of London’s future generations. The industrial past has given way to pristine modern residential developments and the amenities needed to serve them, with more in the pipeline. Served by 12 DLR stops, the area offers excellent transport connections into Canary Wharf and The City, not to mention an international airport around the corner.
Kings Cross
King’s Cross is one of the highest-profile redevelopments in London. Once an underused industrial site, the area has undergone a facelift – from new streets, squares, parks and homes to schools and a university. Twenty years on from its conception, the King’s Cross development is a whole London neighbourhood with its own postcode – N1C. Here you’ll find innovative new-build developments like Gasholders – a combination of one-, two- and three-bedroom residences built within a refurbished triplet of Grade II-listed, cast-iron gasholder guide frames.
How to find the best new builds
The typical property search process first involves choosing an area to live in that aligns with your requirements and then looking for properties there. However, in the case of new builds, it might make sense to reverse this approach and look at the buildings available across London before landing on an area to live.
Here’s why this could work:
- Limited Availability: While there has been a new-build construction boom in London, there are still fewer available than period properties. So, if your priority is finding a modern, energy-efficient apartment with the latest amenities, it might be prudent to focus on where those are being developed first.
- Exclusive Features: This approach could prove beneficial if you have specific preferences for the home itself. For instance, if new developments offer unique modern features that appeal to you, like smart home technology or community facilities, they might draw you to a neighbourhood you wouldn’t have initially considered.
- Regeneration Schemes: Sometimes new builds are part of a wider regeneration project. These areas might not be on your radar, but new construction can indicate future development that’s intended to transform a neighbourhood from undesirable to up-and-coming.
- Rental Incentives: Developers of new builds often offer rental incentives, like discounted rent and free months. Starting the property search process by researching the building may expose you to these offers, influencing where you choose to live.
To help work out your rental budget, we’ve created a handy calculator for you to use:
FAQs
- What areas should I consider when searching for a new-build home? There are new-build projects across London, at various stages of completion: built, under construction and in the planning phase. Some of the highest profile can be found in Nine Elms (southwest), Wembley (northwest) and The Royal Docks (east).
- What parts of London don’t have many new-build options? West and central London have fewer residential new-build options than other areas of London, particularly in places like Kensington, Notting Hill, Mayfair, and Marylebone.
- How should I approach finding a new-build home in London? Because fewer new-builds are available in London than period properties, start by researching the buildings before deciding which area you want to live in from the resulting list. This will ensure you find a property that matches your requirements, and it might expose you to up-and-coming areas you hadn’t considered.
Rental Prices
If you’d like to find the average cost of renting a property in London, check out The Simply London Guide to London Neighbourhoods.
It includes:
- The average rental prices for the top 20 neighbourhoods in London
- The top 10 best London neighbourhoods for professionals
- The top 10 best London neighbourhoods for families
We’ve also created some handy calculators to help you work out your cost of living and rental budget for a future move to London! Check them out for free.
Consult with Simply London
With our home search service, we can help you define your new-build search criteria and select the most compatible properties to view. One of our relocation specialists can also accompany you to your viewings, before managing the rental agreement negotiations once you’ve found somewhere that ticks all the boxes. Get in touch today to find all of the ways we can help make your move to London as smooth as possible.
Article written on 3rd October 2024
