A good letting agent will be able to advise landlords on what level of rent they should expect. And if a development is still under construction this may mean accepting a lower rent to start with \u2013 but landlords shouldn\u2019t panic, it won\u2019t be for ever \u2013 just until the building is completed.<\/p>\n Even more important than ever now is presentation. When dozens of properties come onstream at the same time, they all look virtually the same \u2013 an empty shell. I always advise landlords to make sure their property really stands out from the competition. Make sure yours is the beautifully, furnished, stylish home that applicants will fall in love with and just have to have. When you have spent maybe \u00a3500k on a property purchase, furnishing it well is the next logical step and an essential part of that initial investment to ensure you maximise rental potential.<\/p>\n Many tenants now view renting as a long-term lifestyle decision and they won\u2019t accept second best for their home and a professional furnishing company will know what appeals to tenants to give it that all important personality and appeal. And they should have a range of furnishing packages<\/a> to suit all budgets \u2013 and property types \u2013 so this is a very easy and effective solution. The investment in furnishing a property<\/a> should pay for itself quite quickly \u2013 you may not achieve a higher rent \u2013 but you will let your property more quickly.<\/p>\n For more advice on letting your rental property as quickly as possible, contact your local branch manager<\/a>.<\/p>\n Rental demand across the City, East London and Surrey Quays is buoyant and we have good availability of well priced properties in most areas, from the City, Wapping and Canary Wharf to Surrey Quays and Greenwich.<\/p>\n The opening of Crossrail (the Elizabeth Line) later in 2018 is starting to affect the rental market and the new line will be a gamechanger, making parts of East London much more accessible. The recent announcement that Crossrail fares will be in line with the rest of the Tube network (it was thought that prices might be higher) will be an additional boost. As a result, we are now seeing more professional renters<\/a> attracted to areas close to new Crossrail stations and we have branches located close to all these areas where demand is likely to soar.<\/p>\n Apartments at Royal Woolwich Arsenal <\/a>(the Crossrail station is located on site at the development) are handled by our Greenwich and Canary Wharf branches. Rental properties at Hooper Road (Custom House Crossrail station), Aldgate Place<\/a>, London Dock<\/a> and Goodman Fields<\/a> (Whitechapel), Cityscape<\/a> (Liverpool Street), Barts Square (Farringdon) are handled by our City and Wapping branches. The Stratosphere property development in Stratford will also see increasing demand and we are looking for new instructions here.<\/p>\n At Canary Wharf we expect to see the new station draw professionals to live in the area for the first time and the faster links to Heathrow Airport will also be an attraction so interest in Royal Wharf <\/a>will take off soon. Another popular development generating a lot of interest is London Square in Canada Water, SE16 where we are also looking for more instructions. Demand in all these areas is likely to increase further over the next few months, driving up asking rentals and many applicants are seeking good deals now before rents increase. Investors who have paid a premium for a property in these areas may now be able to see the benefits, so should consider including a break clause in their next tenancy agreement to allow for a rent increase when demand takes off in a few months.<\/p>\n Professional tenants continue to make a bee-line for the many new, luxury residential developments in West London. Our Dickens Yard branch<\/a> in Ealing is busy finding homes for corporate tenants<\/a> and Japanese professionals<\/a> in particular enjoy living in the area. The Japanese High School in Acton is a major draw for them and the proliferation of luxury apartments in Ealing offers them the type of luxury accommodation they prefer. These are some of the best homes in West London and applicants have good budgets to pay for exactly the type of accommodation they want. This is also the time, at the end of the current tax year, when many Japanese firms relocate their staff. Nearby Kew Bridge<\/a> is also busy and is a popular location with corporate tenants who prefer a different lifestyle \u2013 quieter and close to the river. Both areas are also conveniently located not just for commuting to central London, but also out to the many corporate HQs along the M4 corridor. At our Fulham Reach branch<\/a>, the launch of the latest phase at Sovereign Court<\/a> \u2013 Lancaster House – is attracting good numbers of enquiries and homes are letting well, particularly in the \u00a3560 – \u00a3625 per week price bracket. Fulham Reach<\/a> itself is always popular, in part due to its spectacular riverside location, with two bed apartments achieving \u00a3750 – \u00a3800 per week. Business is also brisk at nearby Imperial Wharf <\/a>and Chelsea Creek<\/a>, a favourite with City professionals.<\/p>\n Rental demand has been picking up noticeably in Highgate<\/a> and Hampstead<\/a> over the last few weeks, particularly for one and two bed apartments. We are also seeing larger, three and four bed homes letting more quickly and a marked increase in viewings as we move towards our busiest time of year for families relocating. With several high-profile tech firms relocating to London recently there has been an upturn in enquiries from young professionals and couples. However the market remains price sensitive and landlords must be prepared to negotiate to secure a tenant quickly.<\/p>\n In terms of new developments close to these areas, Woodberry Park <\/a>remains incredibly popular and the latest block to be released, Odell House, is generating a lot of interest. We have a number of properties available here and the first instruction we received, a one bed apartment at \u00a3350 per week, let within days after just one viewing – before it was even officially on the market.<\/p>\n Over at Beaufort Park in Colindale<\/a>, the latest building at Beaufort Park \u2013 Sterling House \u2013 is now launching. It will be the flagship building at the development and the tallest \u2013 and we have applicants ready to view properties there so are anticipating good demand. Some are moving from other apartments at the development, keen to upgrade, while others are new to the area, moving here on the recommendation of friends or colleagues who already live here. One bed apartments are expected to achieve \u00a3320 – \u00a3340 per week and two beds \u00a3440 – \u00a3450 per week. We have good availability of stock here.<\/p>\n The rental market is picking up across central London although affordability remains a key issue and smaller properties are letting most quickly. In Kensington<\/a>, Knightsbridge<\/a> and Hyde Park<\/a>, demand is good and we are seeing high levels of enquiries, particularly for studios and one bed apartments. However, with plenty of stock available there is strong competition and it is very much a tenant\u2019s market. Applicants will consider both new-build apartments and period properties but older homes must be refurbished and finished to an extremely high spec in order to compete. Tenants\u2019 budgets have decreased a little and the market remains price sensitive so while one bed apartments (\u00a3450 per week) and two bed apartments (\u00a3600 per week) are letting quickly, demand is slower for apartments priced at \u00a3700+ per week. Applicants know the market is competitive and as a result, expect landlords to be flexible. The landlords who are letting their properties quickly and so minimising expensive void periods<\/a> are those prepared to negotiate and compromise on asking rents. Most tenants also now ask for a six month break clause to allow some flexibility.<\/p>\n![\"Princes-House\"](\"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/506-Princes-House-Kingsway-Holborn-WC2B-1.jpg\")
<\/a>The City and East London<\/h2>\n
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West London<\/h2>\n
North London<\/h2>\n
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Central London<\/h2>\n
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