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London luxury rents rise as Gulf demand adds to supply crunch
Bloomberg | April 11, 2026 2:19 PM CST

Synopsis

Rents in London's expensive areas are climbing. Short-term demand from Middle Eastern families is a factor. New regulations are also reducing rental property availability. This situation is creating a significant imbalance in the market. Property experts note that mortgage costs and a return of families to London are worsening the trend.

London luxury rents (Image for representation)
Rents in London's most expensive neighbourhoods rose in March as short-term demand from families relocating from the Middle East added to the impact of impending regulations weighing on supply. The number of new rental listings in the first quarter in London's prime central and outer districts was 8% lower than a year earlier, according to Rightmove data. At the same time the number of new prospective tenants increased by 7%.

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Rents in prime central London, an area Knight Frank defines as including pricey postcodes such as Kensington and Westminster, rose 1.2% in the year through March. In prime outer London, for which the broker includes districts such as Battersea and Hampstead, rents are up 2.8%.


Supply was already falling ahead of the Renters Rights Act that's due to come into effect this month and will make it harder for landlords to evict tenants. Elevated mortgage costs linked to rising inflation expectations and an increase in inquiries from families seeking to return to London because of the conflict are exacerbating the imbalance, according to Knight Frank.

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