The Best Buy-to-Let Areas in London in 2021

As one of the most vibrant, diverse and desirable cities to live in on the planet, London will never be short of tenants or great properties.

But for landlords, there’s lots more to consider when considering a buy-to-let investment in the capital. Here, we’ve taken a look at some of London’s best buy-to-let areas, the kinds of tenants who rent there and included the data on average rents and yields…

London’s buy-to-let hotspots

London’s best buy-to-let areas include suburbs and boroughs all across the capital, with renters seeking good quality homes, great transport links, solid employment opportunities, education and a great lifestyle.

Enfield

North London is home to some of the capital’s most desirable and popular areas – and Enfield is right up there.

Popular with families thanks to its green space and superb transport links, Enfield offers real value for landlords looking to invest.

It’s estimated that 18.9% of Enfield residents live in private rented accommodation, while 75% of homes in the borough are within 200 metres of a bus, train or tube station.

Buy-to-let in Enfield at a glance

Bethnal Green

Bethnal Green’s popularity is continuing at pace, with young professional renters loving its East End honesty, great properties and easy links back to the city. Workers in the tech and design industries that dominate the area around Old Street are ready-made tenants for landlords looking to invest in the area, alongside students from the University of East London and Queen Mary University.

It’s estimated that 29.8% of residents in Bethnal Green live in private rented accommodation, while a huge 90.8% of homes in the area are within 200 metres of a bus, train or tube.

Annual rents in Enfield, meanwhile, have grown by 7% year on year.

Buy-to-let in Bethnal Green at a glance

Bounds Green

Just north of Muswell Hill in North London, Bounds Green is still south of the North Circular and its roads of Edwardian to 1930s houses are massively popular with renters and buyers. For investment-hungry landlords, the area offers good opportunities for letting to families seeking more space and outer London peace and quiet, while retaining good transport links to the city for work.

There’s space outside, too, with the dog-walking and jogging haven that is Alexandra Palace just a stone’s throw away in Muswell Hill.

It’s estimated that 25.6% of residents in Bounds Green live in private rented accommodation, while 85.6% of properties in the area are within 200 metres of a bus, train or tube station.

Rental prices in Bounds Green, meanwhile, have grown by 7% compared with a year ago.

Buy-to-let in Bounds Green at a glance

Finchley

Hip coffee shops, great amenities and schools, and excellent transport links into central London mean Finchley is as attractive to young professionals as it is to families.

It’s a multi-cultural area, too, with a real community feel and row after row of amazing Victorian and Edwardian properties – many of which are rented.

It’s estimated that 33.1% of residents in Finchley live in private rented accommodation, while 74.7% of the area’s properties are within 200 metres of a train, bus or tube.

Buy-to-let in Finchley at a glance

Golders Green

With green space-galore thanks to Hampstead Heath and Golders Hill Park, Golders Green is fast becoming a go-to option for renters in North London.

The area’s large 1930s homes are popular with families, as are Golders Green’s superb primary schools.

Golders Green’s popularity with renters is backed by the statistics, too, which show that 44.5% of the area’s residents live in private rented accommodation, while 81% of properties are within that magic 200 metre walk of a bus, train or Underground station. And while other areas of London have seen average rents hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, Golders Green is bucking the trend with annual growth of 10%.

Buy-to-let in Golders Green at a glance

Greenford

On the outskirts of West London, Greenford’s links with Heathrow make it a popular renting spot for those with jobs at the airport.

While its affordability makes it a great option for London buyers priced out of other more expensive postcodes, 23% of residents in the area rent.

Despite being 11 miles from central London, 72.5% of Greenford properties are within 200 metres of Transport for London links

Buy-to-let in Greenford at a glance

Harrow & Kenton

North of Wembley and the North Circular, Harrow is famed for its education thanks to the prestigious Harrow School.

And it’s excellent schooling that attracts families to the area, thanks to a whole host of ‘Outstanding’-rated primary schools.

Young professionals also make up a solid percentage of renters in the Harrow and Kenton areas, too, with good value and 30-minute Underground services to Baker Street just two attractions for that demographic.

It’s estimated that 27.6% of Harrow residents rent their homes, while those great transport links are backed up by the fact 66.6% of homes in the area are within 200 metres of a bus, train or tube.

Rental prices in Harrow, meanwhile, have grown by 8% year on year.

Buy-to-let in Harrow at a glance

Islington

Just four miles from central London and in zone 2, Islington is never going to be a cheap area to buy a home.

For renters, though, the area’s appeal is vast – thanks to stunning period properties, a great community feel and nightlife and easy links into the city.

Young professionals make up the bulk of Islington’s tenant population, while families seeking good schools are also on the hunt for privately rented homes. It’s estimated that 26.1% of homes in Islington are rented, while 84% of the area’s properties are within 200 metres of transport links into the city.

Buy-to-let in Islington at a glance

Mill Hill

Mill Hill’s semi-rural, almost ‘village’ feel makes it a distinctly unique part of the capital

Despite being a mere 12 miles from The Shard, Mill Hill even has its own village green.

As such, it’s a hugely popular area for families, but with property prices in the area reflecting its desirability, there are good opportunities for landlords and solid demand from renters. It’s estimated that 19% of residents in Mill Hill rent privately, with 71% of properties in the area being within 200 metres of London transport links.

Mill Hill has experienced superb rental price growth over the past 12 months, too, with rents 14% higher than 12 months ago.

Buy-to-let in Mill Hill at a glance

Stanmore

Stanmore is perhaps best described as a quiet suburb and this is what appeals to family renters alongside good schools and convenient transport links into town. Competitive rental prices compared with other areas of North West London also make Stanmore a great option for young professionals, who use the Jubilee Line for 40-minute commutes into the city.

It’s estimated that 18.3% of Stanmore residents are currently renting, while 68% of properties in the area are within 200 metres of the bus, train or tube. Rents in Stanmore, meanwhile, have grown by 4% year on year.

Buy-to-let in Stanmore at a glance

Tottenham

Tottenham is a tale of regeneration and renewed popularity – meaning great opportunities for investors.

Renters can find value in the area compared with suburbs further south and closer to central London, but without increasing their commute too much.

Period properties from the Victorian era appeal to families, too, while the raft of new developments in the area are hugely appealing to young professional renters.

It’s estimated that 28.8% of residents in Tottenham rent their homes, while a huge 87% of properties being within a 200-metre distance of transport links make this area a hotbed of opportunity for landlords.

Buy-to-let in Tottenham at a glance

Wembley

Wembley isn’t just about sporting history and prowess – it’s also an area benefitting from massive regeneration.

And for landlords, regeneration means opportunity.

For families, there are large 1930s homes close to transport links and good schools, while younger professionals look to the area’s newest developments.

It’s estimated that just over 30% of Wembley residents are privately renting, while 62% of the area’s properties lie within 200 metres of a tube station, bus stop or train. Wembley’s rental price growth, meanwhile, was 11% over the past 12 months.

Buy-to-let in Wembley at a glance

Willesden Green

Close to the young professional hotspots of West Hampstead and Finchley, North London’s Willesden Green provides renters with something they crave – value. The area offers large houses for families, while young professionals are attracted to the area by fast Jubilee Line services into the West End.

It’s estimated that as many as 43% of Willesden Green residents rent in the area, while 83% of properties in the area are within 200 metres of transport links into the city.

Buy-to-let in Willesden Green at a glance

Best buy-to-let yields in London

Buy-to-let yields vary across London and although rents have dipped in many areas in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, our hotspots continue to offer solid yields for landlords as well as long-term capital growth potential.