London is one of the world’s best-loved cities. Visitors from all over the world are drawn to its long and storied history and its vibrant cultural scene. Residents, on the other hand, love London for its exciting career opportunities, fast-paced lifestyle, and the unique sense of community in every London borough. Verified residents of some of London’s newest property developments have provided HomeViews with their perspective on living in the capital. Accordingly, we have compiled their reviews to create this list of the best 1-bedroom flats to rent in London.
1-bed flats to rent in London: 10 best developments as rated by residents
Let’s take a look at the list of the top 10 1-bed flats to rent in London, according to the reviews of verified residents. Residents rate their buildings on everything from design and facilities, to the management team, services, location and value for money, to provide a comprehensive overview of each new build development. Take a look at the list to see the very best rental-only developments London has to offer.
*PLEASE NOTE these rankings take into account how recently reviews have been submitted, so may not match the overall star ratings shown. More recent reviews are given a greater weighting to reflect current building performance.
Sitting top of the pile for 1-bed apartment developments to rent in London is Author King’s Cross. This brand new Build-to-Rent development is located in King’s Cross, one of London’s most connected locations. It offers a collection of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments, furnished and unfurnished, with flexible tenancies to suit your lifestyle. In addition, there are a range of lifestyle amenities including a resident’s lounge, fitness centre, co-working spaces and a private dining room. Author also offers exclusive resident events and is pet-friendly.
Taking second place for 1-bed flats in London is The Gessner. By Way of Life, this stylish Tottenham Hale development offers 164 apartments to rent. These include a mix of studio, one, two and three bedroom apartments. The Gessner 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.
Third is Dressage Court with its 104 rental-only one, two and three-bedroom apartments. This stylish development by Essential Living is located in the heart of vibrant Bethnal Green. It offers easy access to Bethnal Green’s tube and rail stations, with views towards the City and Canary Wharf. In addition, residents can access a 24-hour on-site management team along with shared spaces that are free for all residents to enjoy.
Fourth-placed Sailmakers is a Build-to-Rent scheme from Greystar, with 327 apartments. Located in the Harbour Central development on the Isle of Dogs, the building is within easy reach of the heart of Canary Wharf. Public transport is available via the 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. Reviewers highlight the excellent management team and the first-class service they provide.
Taking fifth place, Bloom Nine Elms, by Greystar, is a collection of rental apartments located in Zone 1. Each apartment is pet-friendly and offers all the amenities you need for better living. Situated in south west London, Bloom Nine Elms has a collection of studio, one, two, and three-bedroom apartments. Onsite amenities include a 24/7 gym, swimming pools, rooftop terraces, pet spa. Additionally, WFH in a dedicated co-working space or your choice of the resident lounges.
In sixth it’s Union Wharf, a rental 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.
Sitting seventh, Charter Place is an INSTRATA Lifestyle Residence, managed by Greystar. It features a collection of studios, one, two, and three-bedroom rental homes. Residents have access to an onsite gym, lounge, a private dining room, and co-working spaces. In addition, Charter Place is only a short walk away from Hounslow East Underground station.
Taking eighth place is Blackhorse Mills by Legal and General and Urban Bubble. The developments offers residents the freedom to decorate their apartment as they see fit, and units are pet-friendly. There’s a lido, a gym, a roof terrace, private dining rooms and a yoga studio. Overlooking the wilds of Walthamstow Wetlands, yet just 20 minutes to Central London on the Victoria Line from Blackhorse Road station, Blackhorse Mills is ideal for access to both city life and green space.
Vantage Point sits in ninth place in London’s 1-bed rentals ranking. It has 118 apartments ranging from studios to one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. All Vantage Point residents get access to a range of services and amenities. These include a 24-hour on-site management team, a communal roof terrace, games room and exercise room. The development is located in a highly desirable position above Archway underground station. Popular Highgate Village and the green open spaces of Hampstead Heath are within easy reach.
Making it into the top 10 for 1-bed flats to rent in London, The Sessile is a collection of studio, one, two and three bed apartments located in the heart of Tottenham Hale. Amenities include a sizeable gym, yoga studio and spaces to work throughout The Sessile to support your working week, evenings and weekends alike. Furthermore, a Private dining room and a 24/7 concierge are also available.
Mansbridge House offers 1, 2 or 3 bedroom apartments to rent in Battersea. All apartments come with their own winter garden, along with flexible contracts, the freedom to decorate and the ability to swap apartments, or developments if you’d like to, all come as standard. Additionally, Mansbridge House is pet friendly. Read reviews and details of Mansbridge House, SW8
Balfron Tower is an iconic residential development situated in Poplar. Designed by the architect Ernő Goldfinger, it features a range of 1, 2, 3 and 4-bedroom apartments. Residents can access a range of facilities including a roof terrace, yoga studio, cinema room and co-working spaces. Read reviews and details of Balfron Tower, E14
Uncle Southall is a new development offering 166 brand new London apartments. These apartments are designed with high-end appliances, quality fixtures, and the latest designer furniture. The development emphasizes tenant-focused service with amenities including a karaoke lounge, a resident’s lounge, and communal roof terraces. For wellness, there are health and fitness facilities, a gym, and […] Read reviews and details of Uncle Southall, UB2
In 15th place is 30 Harbord Square, a selection of affordable studios, one, two and three-bedroom apartments in Canary Wharf. Every apartment has been designed to a high-specification and all residents benefit from waterside views of the Thames or westwards towards Canary Wharf. Nearby you’ll find Canary Wharf’s latest neighbourhood, Wood Wharf, and the buzzing residential community set within acres of parks, overlooking the O2 and Greenwich.
16th position in this top rental developments list goes to be:here Hayes. This stylish, residential development has 119 one, two and three-bedroom apartments. The building also includes restaurants, leisure facilities and a music venue. Hayes & Harlington station is just a quarter of a mile away, while the M4, M25 and Heathrow Airport are all easily accessible.
In 17th place, Vive Living is a rental-only development managed by The Acorn Group. It offers 83 apartments to rent in a superb position, moments from the local shops and amenities of up-and-coming Deptford.
Whyteleafe House in Surrey, CR3, is a contemporary Build-to-Rent development by Comer Homes, completed in 2023. The development features over 160 modern apartments, including one, two, and three-bedroom units, catering primarily to renters. Residents at Whyteleafe House enjoy several amenities, such as a fully equipped gym, communal garden, concierge service, and available parking. The village […] Read reviews and details of Whyteleafe House, CR3
19th-placed Bradstowe House is located in the heart of Harrow, just a short walk from Harrow on the Hill train station. Built by Comer Houses and managed by Greystar, the development houses one and two-bedroom apartments. Along with this, it also features a number of penthouses, all of which are available as rental-only. Residents’ at Bradstowe House have access to an onsite gym, lounge as well as, 24hr concierge.
Fizzy Hayes UB3 is a residential development of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, managed by Greystar. It’s in south Hayes, right near Hayes & Harlinton Station, and just a short drive from London Heathrow Airport. Also, the development sits between two popular green spaces – Minet Country Park and Lake Farm Country Park. Read reviews and details of Fizzy Hayes, UB3
Living in London
Every region and borough of London provides a different experience for residents. The city has something for every taste, culture and budget. Whether you’re young or old, looking for an exciting, fast-paced lifestyle or seeking a more relaxed way of life, there are areas to suit your needs.
Greater London covers some 615 square miles, so it’s easier to think about the city as distinct areas rather than a homogeneous whole. There are fashionable high streets in Chelsea and St. John’s Wood, as well as thriving, regenerated former industrial centres around East London. The leafy suburbs of Richmond, Barnes and Hampstead contrast with the modern high-rise developments of Nine Elms and the Docklands. The village atmospheres of Dulwich, Chiswick and Notting Hill’s Portobello Road provide a different experience to the constant buzz of Soho and the West End.
The city is connected by one of the world’s finest public transport systems. Central London is easily accessible from its suburbs, while you can navigate around the city using a choice of the underground, bus services and overground rail.
One of the newest property trends in London is the London is for purpose-built rental buildings, or ‘Build to Rent’. These new buildings are providing fresh options for people looking to settle in the city.
Build to rent developments are purpose-built to rent, rather than sell. Usually, new-build apartment blocks, build to rent developments offering an alternative to the traditional private rental sector, with numerous perks for residents that aren’t usually available to private renters. This style of rental is becoming increasingly popular, and now represents many of the best 1-bed flats to rent in London.
Rental-only apartment developments can offer excellent perks too. These include fully-furnished apartments with modern styling, on-site management teams and communal areas for working and socialising. Some packages include perks like health club and spa facilities or 24-hour concierge services.
Build to rent properties can offer the security of longer-term tenancies, while flexible, shorter tenancies can also available. Some developments offer tenancy terms of up to five years. One of the main attractions of build to rent developments, according to the reviews of verified residents on HomeViews, is their sense of community.
Choosing a build to rent apartment does typically work out slightly more expensive than traditional private rental properties. However, packages available to build to rent tenants tend to include a number of extras unavailable to other private renters.
London rentals
Rental prices in London differ according to the area of the development and the type of property. HomeViews produced a definitive guide to rental prices in London, using London.Gov’s London Rental Map. The list ranks the average rental price in each London borough.
Westminster takes top spot as the most expensive London borough. A two-bedroom apartment costs on average £2,925 per month in this fashionable and upmarket part of the city. According to the rankings, the most affordable borough is Sutton. A two-bedroom apartment in Sutton costs an average of £1,250 per month. Take a look at our guide to find out more about the rental prices of each London borough.
If you’re looking to move to London and are wondering which areas to consider, head to our dedicated area guides. Each guide has information about living in the area, along with details of the best new developments for renters.
Find the area guides by visiting our homepage, scrolling down to the ‘Explore by area’ section and selecting ‘Greater London’. From there, you can find out more about life in each of London’s distinctive areas.
Greater London is the name of the ceremonial county that covers the London region, excluding the City of London. With a population of over 8.9 million (2018), this 607 square mile area is split into 33 districts that stretch from Hillingdon in the west Read more about Greater London
HomeViews is the only independent review platform for residential developments in the UK. Prospective buyers and tenants use it to make an informed decision on where to live based on insights from carefully verified resident reviews. Part of Rightmove since February 2024, we’re working with developers, house builders, operators, housing associations and the Government to give residents a voice, recognise high performers and to help improve standards across the industry.
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