Prime lettings market boosted as ‘London leavers’ head back to office

The number of new prospective tenants registering was 56% higher than a year earlier, Knight Frank said.

Vicky Shaw
Friday 08 October 2021 11:02 BST
The number of tenancies started in prime London in September was the highest monthly total in the past 10 years, according to Knight Frank (Dominic Lipinski/PA)
The number of tenancies started in prime London in September was the highest monthly total in the past 10 years, according to Knight Frank (Dominic Lipinski/PA) (PA Wire)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The number of tenancies started in prime London locations in September was the highest monthly total in the past 10 years, an estate agent has reported.

The number of new prospective tenants registering was 56% higher than in September last year, Knight Frank said.

Offices reopening, overseas tenants arriving in bigger numbers and people returning to universities are behind the figures, it suggested.

We are seeing competitive bidding across prime central London markets

David Mumby, Knight Frank

The estate agent added that average rental values rose on a quarterly basis by the largest amount in a decade in prime central (2.8%) and prime outer London (2.6%).

The prime property figures broadly cover the top 10% of properties by value within Knight Frank’s office patches.

David Mumby, head of prime lettings at Knight Frank, said: “We are seeing competitive bidding across prime central London markets, with new tenants mainly being ‘London leavers’ who now are returning to the office, and international students who are still agreeing properties purely based on virtual viewings.”

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in