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You would be forgiven for anticipating a drop in London’s luxury property market for 2022. Yet the data for London property sales for the first six months of the year might surprise you.

Despite the catalogue of recent global events which have seen us lurch from the pandemic to the financial crisis then the war in Ukraine, London’s luxury property market has seen sales increase dramatically this year.

In fact, it’s fair to say sales of super- luxury homes in London valued at £5 million or more have boomed.

Here’s why prime London has experienced record-breaking growth in the first 6 months of this year.

Why Prime London Continues to Defy The Odds

Data from Savills has found luxury property sales for Q1 and Q2 of 2022 reached a record-breaking £3 billion.¹ The impressive figure outperforms sales recorded for any other year. The homes in question refer to super-prime London properties valued at £5 million or more.

Situated in superior central London locations, such as Mayfair and Knightsbridge, houses and flats in these historic west London postcodes are in high demand.

As an example of the capital’s fortunes, The Evening Standard cites sales recorded by property service LonRes for homes such as a 12-bedroom mansion on Belgrave Square close to Harrods which sold for £90 million, and a property on The Boltons in Chelsea which was snapped up for a cool £42 million.

Q1 and Q2 Surpass Tame Predictions

For Q1 alone, sales for central London properties valued at £10 million or more grew by 41% in comparison to the previous year’s total for both Q1 and Q2 sales combined.³ The figure represents the purchase of 89 super-prime London homes valued at £5 million+.

By the end of Q2, record sales pertained to an enormous 294 super luxury homes in central London. To put the numbers into perspective, compare the total sales for the first six months of 2022 with 2019’s total of 309 central London residences for 12 months and it’s easy to see how well London’s luxury property market is performing.

Bearing in mind the Ukraine war began in February 2022 accompanied by rising living costs, such a quick rate of growth for Q1 and Q2 is significant.

Soaring prices for food, energy and petrol twinned with the freezing of Russian assets and the deterrent of harsh Covid restrictions for travellers from the Asian continent on their return home were all predicted to negatively impact London’s property market for 2022.

Yet the data shows super luxury property in London is more resilient and attractive than the experts thought.

Proof that around the world, England’s famous capital is still considered a fail-safe investment. Legendary locations, such as St John’s Wood and Hampstead have the longevity necessary to reassure buyers worldwide, they’ll remain a secure safeguard despite changing economic conditions, such as spiralling inflation.

The Capital’s Returnees Heighten Demand

According to Savils, returning London residents who flocked to the countryside during the pandemic are expected to grow prime London’s rental values by 12% by the end of this year, rising to 18.3% by 2026.³

Since the beginning of Q1 a fast-growing number of returnees have flooded back to the capital, seeking once again, its unrivalled amenities and a base close to their place of work. From Knightsbridge to Hampstead, there is an enormous surge in people who want to live and work in the capital’s best postcodes.

Writing in The Telegraph, Karen Noye of wealth management firm Quilter suggests with ‘our lives ‘getting back on track and the fear of further restrictions over, people naturally want to be back in the capital, enjoying all it has to offer, including, crucially, more job prospects.’

Though employees were ordered back to the office at the beginning of the year, many had already found the novelty of country living had worn off. For others, planned rural moves were abandoned when the reality of what they would be giving up set in.

Talking to The Telegraph, Rhys Cash, 45 exemplifies the experiences of numerous returnees when he says: ‘we realized how spoilt we were …we are in walking distance of a million shops and restaurants, and my office is just around the corner’.

Instead of moving to the countryside as he originally planned, Rhys and his wife decided to buy a larger home in London when Rhys’ boss requested his return to the office. ⁴

Scenarios like Rhys’ have seen record numbers registering with luxury London estate agents pushing figures up 71% higher than those for 2019. ⁴

The Evening Standard reports the deluge of workers returning to London offices alone has seen house prices rise to their strongest position for the last 6 years, producing the fastest increase in sales since 2016. ⁵

Such a large number of interested parties means rentals in London’s finest postcodes will move quicker than ever.

Why Luxury London’s Boost Could Benefit You

Yet there is more good news to be had because though the market is hot, prices remain a profitable investment.

On the whole, house prices remain marginally lower than they were at their greatest height back in 2014. Despite the tumultuous range of economic changes the UK has experienced in the last seven years, London house prices remain just under 20% lower than they were at their peak.

Although the market is strong, there were somewhat less numbers of buyers from overseas for Q1 and Q2, particularly from the Asian continent. However figures show overseas buyers are beginning to return in increasing numbers. With Hong Kong, Singapore and the US’ currency performing well against the pound, this trend should continue.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Mark Harris of SPF Private Clients reiterated this point when he stated that a ‘general lack of supply continues to fuel price increases in London, coupled with the weak pound which is fuelling international investment. ⁴

Whilst properties are moving quickly, Q3 could still prove an opportune time to buy before overseas buyers are back in full. However, larger numbers of UK buyers mean transactions are completed quicker because they don’t involve the borrowing that’s usually part of overseas transactions.

Learn more about prime London locations in our useful local area guides <to local area guides> or browse sensational luxury London properties for rent or sale now. Browse

To talk to us about our listings call: 0207 272 2259 or send us a message.

Browse luxury properties in St John’s Wood > 

Browse luxury properties in Hampstead > 

 

 

 

Links:

1. https://www.savills.co.uk/research_articles/229130/330823-0

 

2. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/record-number-10-million-pound-homes-london-post-brexit-b1014357.html

 

3. https://www.savills.co.uk/insight-and-opinion/savills-news/331617/savills-upgrades-five-year-forecast-for-the-prime-london-rental-market—as-tenants-return-to-the-capital-in-droves

 

4. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/uk/realised-how-spoilt-london-boomerang-buyers-return-capital/

 

5. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/uk/london-house-prices-strongest-six-years-workers-return-office/

 

The Telegraph

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/

The Evening Standard

https://www.standard.co.uk/homesandproperty

luxury London estate agents

One of the greatest characteristics of luxury London property is its history. New to the market, luxury apartments at Trent Park in north London are the perfect example. This exquisite property offers the opportunity to dwell in a place where centuries of British history are etched into the walls.

From its 14th century beginnings, grade II-listed Trent House has been witness to the most astounding collection of British royalty, aristocracy and events.

Elizabeth I spent much of her early life at Trent House whilst Henry IV hunted there. Elizabeth II attended parties at Trent Park House whilst Winston Churchill was amongst its long list of frequent and famous guests.

During World War Two, Trent Park was home to a landmark covert operation to extract information from leading German personnel held captive there.

Once considered one of the finest country houses of its day, luxury apartments at Trent Park start at 1.24 million rising to 2.4 million+.

Its 14 grand apartments sit within a 56-acre private estate, part of the Trent Park’s 413-acre grounds of celebrated parkland. Accompanying amenities include: tennis courts, a gym, swimming pool, nearby golf club, equestrian centre and more.

Here’s all you need to know about this historic London property.

Trent Park – A Capsule History of Britain

Set apart from the very beginning, grade II-listed Trent Park started out as royal hunting grounds, in use from the 14th century onwards. Part of Henry IV’s favourite place to hunt, known as Enfield Chase, Trent Park was a resplendent woodland and a much-loved destination for British monarchs, right up to Elizabeth II.

Passing through many notable hands over the centuries, since 2017 the house and grounds have been lovingly restored. Respectful renovations over many years have finally transformed the estate into luxury north London homes surrounded by resplendent parkland.

Beyond the newly renovated private site, is Trent Country Park. Together, the entire 413-acres make up the ancient royal hunting grounds.

Trent Park House, North London

Careful restoration means buyers can choose to amplify the property’s distinguished heritage with traditional decor if they wish. Alternatively, buyers can add a modern update with contemporary styling finished with the beautiful period features that made Trent Park House one of the England’s most magnificent Georgian-style country houses.

Spacious rooms are flooded with light from newly restored, original windows and high ceilings edged with intricate, centuries-old detailing and feature lighting.

Outside, Trent House’s authentic red-brick exterior remains, reconditioned to its former glory accompanied by stunning views across Trent Park. The immediate parkland around the apartments was landscaped by one of the 18th century’s leading landscape gardeners – Humphry Repton.

Repton was responsible for the grounds of over 70 famed English country houses, including Kensington Gardens and Tatton Park. From ornamental lakes to an obelisk, water garden, avenue of lime trees, the columned Wisteria Walk and the 1 million-bulb Daffodil Lawn, Humphry Repton’s designs remain a huge draw for the public today.

Trent Park, Cockfosters

Repton’s landscaping extends into Trent Country Park beyond. The top north London park encompasses famed attractions such as: Camlet Moat, ancient woodland, lakes, wildlife including deer, rabbits and pheasants, peaceful brooks, fields, farmland and more.

The serene setting in Cockfosters, High Barnet, creates a tranquil backdrop for each luxury home. 25 minutes from central London by tube, Trent Park offers a unique opportunity to live within the opulence of the past, once enjoyed by a swathe of English aristocracy.

The site’s shuttle bus to and from the station is sure to prove useful. Scattered across the estate are other houses and apartments each located in different places, such as the newly-converted Stable Blocks. The 14 luxury apartments are the estate’s premier spaces.

Trent House – A Legendary London Home

The final owner of Trent House, responsible for its last flourish of legendary entertaining in the 1920s and 30s was Sir Philip Sassoon – an MP said be the greatest host in the land.

Trent Park House first passed into the hands of England’s landed gentry in 1777 when King George III invited Sir Richard Jebb, his favourite doctor, to live there after he saved his younger brother’s life.

It was Jebb who named Trent House because Trent was the place where he had rescued the king’s brother. Jebb soon bought the house and when he died it passed on to various aristocrats, eventually reaching Philip Sassoon when his father died in 1912.

Sassoon extended the home and updated its Victorian elements, famously adding the monumental wings on each side which made the house particularly striking.

A raging socialite with high connections, Trent House was a destination for everyone from Charlie Chaplin to King Edward III and Wallis Simpson, TE Lawrence (depicted in Lawrence of Arabia), Winston Churchill, Rex Whistler, George Bernard Shaw and a young Elizabeth II.

When Sir Philip Sassoon died in 1939, Trent House was repurposed by the British Government for the war. Serving as a gamechanging partner to Bletchley Park, the British Intelligence ran a top secret, covert listening operation within the walls of Trent.

Known as Britain’s Secret Listeners, British Intelligence extracted powerful information about German operations by listening in on the conversations of the German generals, Luftwaffe pilots and leading servicemen imprisoned there. (It was a rather luxurious prison with various freedoms including whiskey and walks across the grounds).

After the war, the site had various uses by Middlesex University and the University of London. Meanwhile, the wider parkland was opened to the public in 1973 as Trent Country Park.

Such a remarkable history means it’s no surprise the heritage site is a conservation area which will include a museum operating as part of Britain’s foremost war achives. Trent House’s museum will function alongside the Imperial War Museum, Bletchley Park and the Churchill War Rooms.

Browse more historic, luxury properties in central London for rent or sale now. Browse

Or learn about top luxury London locations in our useful local area guides <to local area guides>. To talk to us about our properties call: 0207 272 2259 or send us a message.

Browse luxury properties in St John’s Wood > 

Browse luxury properties in Hampstead > 

 

 

Links:

North London

To St John’s Wood or Hampstead properties or area guide

Camlet Moat

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1005551?section=official-list-entry

 

Kensington Gardens

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/house-prices/revealed-expensive-street-britain-property-prices-average-35m/

 

Trent Country Park

https://www.trentparkhouse.org.uk

 

 

The Renters’ Reform Bill was first proposed in April 2019 by Theresa May’s government in a bid to remove some of the insecurities tenants experience while renting in England. The main premise of the bill is the abolishment of section 21 evictions, also known as “no fault” evictions.

 

Under the 1988 Housing Act, section 21 allows landlords to evict tenants without having to demonstrate any fault, providing they give two months’ notice. Theresa May criticised section 21 evictions, stating that millions of “responsible tenants” could wrongfully be uprooted with little notice, and announced The Renters’ Reform Bill to give more security and power to tenants. The bill would also help to improve the standards of rented accommodation through a Decent Homes standard and the introduction of a national landlord register. However, it’s been almost three years since the announcement, and the bill still hasn’t come into effect leaving many tenants in the same unstable situation.

 

Nevertheless, ministers did recently confirm that a whitepaper surrounding the bill is to be released later this year around May. Eddie Hughes, the housing minister supported the news, telling the House of Commons that the “reforms will deliver a fairer, more effective rental market”.

 

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the leading drive for homelessness in the UK was due to the loss of a tenancy. During the pandemic, the government stepped in, banning evictions to prevent more people from losing their homes.

Earlier in January this year, the UK Government announced tough new restrictions against second homeowners to combat a tax loophole. These new restrictions follow increasing reports of second homeowners pretending to let out their properties to holidaymakers to deduce the amount of tax they must pay, in spite of their properties actually being empty.

At present, owners of second homes in England can avoid paying council tax and access small business rates relief by simply stating an intention to let the property out to holidaymakers and were not permitted to provide any evidence. However, The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) is moving to close this loophole in the system.

From April 2023, owners will have to prove their homes were being rented out for a minimum of 70 days the previous year to access small business rates relief, where they meet the criteria. Owners will also have to have evidence of their property being available for rent for 140 days that year, and in the following year to come. Evidence such as websites, brochures and advertorial content used to promote the rental property, as well as letting details and receipts will need to be provided to qualify for the relief.

You can find out more about how these changes will impact second homeowners on the GOV website.

If you’ve had success in renting out a buy-to-let property you may be considering growing your property portfolio. If you are thinking about expanding your business, we’ve put together a few things you’ll want to consider before buying your next property.

Have you done enough research?

The first thing you’ll need to successfully grow your property empire is an understanding of the market and a way to assess how the market is going. There are numerous factors that can affect the state of the property market, which is why laws, taxes, inflations rates, mortgages and interest rates constantly change. Before making the jump into buying your next property you’ll want to calculate whether it’s financially worth it, and whether the property you have chosen has the potential to make a high ROI. An accountant will be able to assist you, but you’ll also want to liaise with a company which specialises in property and asset management, as they’ll have the expertise and resources to maximise your investment.

 

Are you going to diversify or monopolise?

When thinking about the next property to add to your buy-to-let portfolio you’re going want to ask yourself whether you want to specialise in one specific market or location, or if you want to completely diversify your portfolio and go for something different. There are benefits in both diversifying and monopolising. For example, diversifying your portfolio can enable you to reach untapped markets, and can be seen as attractive by investors. However, you may want to stick at what you know, and are comfortable with, specialising in a specific property type or region.

 

Would it make sense to partner with someone else?

Getting a business partner may help to speed up the growth of your property portfolio. You may want a business partner who acts as investment partner to help you raise the capital you need. Alternatively, you may want to go into business with someone who can help you maintain and manage the property, such as a tradesman or property management company.

 

Do you need a lettings agent?

Lettings agents will specialise in getting buy-to-let properties tenants. You may want to consider having specialists handle your property portfolio in order save you time and maximise your return on investment.

If you’re looking for a lettings agent or a reputable company to help you manage and grow your property portfolio, then get in touch. We have a highly skilled lettings department who have brought in millions of pounds of rental income for landlords across prime London for over seven years.

Over the last year, online searches for properties in London have soared, while the search for properties in the country have fallen. This was recently documented in a report by City Hall, who suggest there’s been a “boomerang” return to the capital. This change comes after returns to the city had continued to drop for over 30 years.

City Hall’s report suggests that the “boomerang” effect has partially been a result of young adults who had left the capital during the 2020 lockdown having lost their jobs, returning to the city following looser/no restrictions on hospitality and leisure sectors.

This influx of young adults in London has sparked an increase in the volume of searches for terms “rooms to rent in London” – up by 98% on 2021, and “shared ownership London”, which also up by 48%.

According to insights by MediaVision, this trend in the capital is not mirrored in the countryside, with searches for “houses for sale in Cornwall” being down 46 per cent and “houses for sale in Devon” down by 37 per cent.

During the beginning of the pandemic, London’s rent and property prices fell as residents moved out. The “race for space” and the implementation of remote working meant people began to flock elsewhere seeking a different environment during lockdown restrictions. However, this began to change once the government relaxed COVID-19 restrictions, while offices began to re-open. This naturally resulted in people began returning to the country.

However, with inflation and rising living costs, it would be difficult to predict how long this trend will remain the same.

To discover property and housing related news, check out our other blogs and articles: phillipsharrod.com/news-and-views

A rental property is an ideal investment to help you supplement your income or create a full-time living. However, property managers and landlords may struggle to find how to increase their revenue. Luckily, there are many ways to improve your return on investment. We’ve summarised five ways below.

 

 

1. Don’t skimp on renovations

 

 

The way in which you furnish and decorate a property can have a huge impact on its rental value. Ensuring that paint is refreshed, floors are updated, and the space is modern may be all you need to maximise profits.

 

2. Offer additional services

 

You can maximise your profits by creating additional revenue streams through offering extra services to tenants. This could include a cleaning services or item replenishment. This will provide you with new revenue opportunities, whilst also servicing the needs of your tenants.

 

3. Implement a green strategy

 

An effective and environmentally friendly way to increase the ROI of your rental property is to implement a strategy that will reduce electricity and water bills. Switching to an eco-friendly strategy may include switching to LED light bulbs or installing energy efficient appliances. Not only are you helping to save money, but you are also showing that you are an eco-conscious business.

 

4. Advertise a home office

 

The pandemic has changed the way in which many people work, with more companies offering remote, or hybrid modes of working. This means more people are seeking home offices or rooms that can be used as office space. If you have a spare room that could also function as a home office make sure to include this in your listing.

 

5. Hire a property management firm

 

Hiring a property management firm/property manager can be one of the best decisions you make to maximise your returns on your property. A property manager’s job is to increase your rental property ROI, and will handle operational tasks, repairs, landscaping, perform tenants’ screenings and more. This allows you to reap the benefits of your investment without the stress of managing and maintaining everything yourself.

 

At Phillips Harrod, we are one of prime London’s leading residential experts who offer property management services. We appreciate that as an investor you want to maximise the profits of your investment, and we work hard to nurture high returns using a team of highly qualified experts.

A new set of rules governing property sales listing and advertisements in the UK will be rolled out from the end of May this year. Brought about by the National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team, the changes will make it compulsory for all property sales listings to include a set of details to increase transparency amongst buyers.

 

The council tax band/rate for a property, as well as the house price and tenure information are a few examples of the material information property listings will have to include. Portals such as Zoopla and Rightmove will be adding these fields to comply with the new rules, over the next few weeks.

 

This is only part one of three phases of information disclosure, which will eventually include additional material information, such as restrictive covenants and flood risk information – which usually isn’t made available to buyers until further down the line.

 

Part a includes in “information that, regardless of outcome, is always considered material for all properties regardless of location. This information generally involves unavoidable costs that will be incurred by the occupier regardless of the use of the property,” such as leasehold and freehold status.

 

The second phase, part b will apply to all properties, including things like utilities, as well as non-standard features. The last phase, part c will include information that may or may not need to be established. Clearer guidelines are set to be released, as the rollout is implemented.

 

It is thought that these measures ccan help to improve property sales, by providing useful information that could better inform a prospective buyer’s decision when they embark on their property search. This could save time for both buyers and agents in the long run, leading to fewer complaints and faster transactions.

Buying an investment property comes with an added responsibility to the Landlord to maintain, manage and monetise. This requires a lot of effort, time and expertise which is why many Landlords engage a third party to help manage the investment. When seeking help with their property portfolio there are two types of services which a landlord may require – asset management and/or property management. If you’re a new Landlord or have a growing portfolio, you’ll need to know the difference between the two services.

Asset management refers to the process of maximising the value and return on investment of a property. This includes sourcing the highest and most consistent sources of revenue, minimising expenditure, and risk management. Asset managers are responsible for the general strategy of the asset and can also advise investors/Landlords on ways to grow their portfolio and suggest alternative profitable ventures.

On the other hand, property management refers to the overseeing of daily operations of the property on behalf of the owner. Alongside working closely with the property owner, a property management firm will also need to work closely with the tenants, acting as a representative of the Landlord. They will be the tenant’s first port of call, dealing with any noise complaints, maintenance and repairs, and any legal issues.

Landlords may seek to hire property management firms for various reasons, including if they don’t have the expertise or time to maintain rental properties, or deal with tenants directly. This is especially true for landlords who have multiple rental properties in their portfolio.

Although asset management and property management are two different services, it’s not uncommon for Landlords to seek both. Phillips Harrod are residential experts in London’s prime real estate who offer a multitude of services, including both asset and property management. To find out more about how Phillips Harrod can help you manage your portfolio, get in touch.

Situated in NW8, St John’s Wood is a tranquil, affluent village which has emerged as one of London’s most active prime markets over the last few years. In spite of its close proximity to the West End, St John’s Wood has still managed to retain a genuine feel of community and togetherness.

 

Reported in a 2008 survey conducted by Westminster Council, St John’s Wood has one of the lowest housing densities in the borough, allowing for larger houses with large gardens, making it no surprise that the area has attracted an influx of high net worth individuals. It’s noted that the average garden size in St John’s Wood is nearly nine times larger than neighbouring Mayfair.  However, it’s not just the size of the houses that have attracted HNWIs, the plethora of boutique stores, restaurants, great transportation links and the aid of an American school have also proved appealing to expats and those looking to relocate to London.

 

To view some of our favourite properties currently on the market in the gorgeous, leafy area visit here.  You can also discover more information about St John’s Wood and surrounding areas via our area guide.