London has a reputation for being expensive, especially when it comes to renting. Generally, this is well deserved – the average monthly rent in the capital is £2,121, nearly double the next most expensive region. Still, despite all odds, the nation’s most expensive postcode is not in Lonodon.
That’s right. The nation’s priciest rental area is not in Knightsbridge or Kensington, it’s actually in Beaconsfield, a commuter town in Buckinghamshire. Rent there will set you back on average – prepare for this number to take you out – £5,920. To put that into perspective, a year’s rent in Beaconsfield, around £70,000, is double the median UK salary. Apparently this eye-watering average is thanks to the prevalence of mansions in the area. At least you know they’re getting a good bang for their many, many, many bucks.
To get a really good house in Beaconsfield however, you need to be willing to shell out even more cash. One massive house on the outskirts of the town is currently being advertised on Rightmove for more than £86,000 per calendar month. It comes with a pool, six bedrooms, and dozens of floor-to-ceiling windows.
The second most expensive postcode to rent in, however, was back in central London. The exclusive Knightsbridge area of SW7 sees an average rent of £5,438, which is still, to put it lightly, quite a lot.
The research was done by Cohab, a property portfolio company. Its CEO, Saveli Kotz, explained: ‘In Buckinghamshire, rents are almost triple the South East average’, adding ‘for tenants, this highlights the value of considering nearby areas when searching for more affordable rental options, as moving just a little further afield can offer significant savings’.
Buckinghamshire is also home to some of the country’s most exclusive private schools, both primary and secondary, which could be contributing to sky-high house and rental prices. Regardless, residents of Beaconsfield could be the first ever group who would save some money moving to west London. There really is a first time for everything.
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