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Birmingham isn’t just England’s second city, it’s also the setting for the biggest UK housing market expansion in decades. The city has a truly exciting future, as it attracts greater levels of public and private investment in property development. It’s also attracting young professionals by the thousands, all of them keen to call it home. So, what is fuelling this rise in housing prices and availability? We look at the state of the market, and highlight some of the best apartments to rent in Birmingham.

Note: We know the title says “Top 5” but since this post went live two years ago, there’s been a rapid expansion of top-notch apartment developments in Birmingham that have made it onto the HomeViews site. That’s why we’ve expanded our list to take it a Top 10!

Apartments to rent in Birmingham: best developments as rated by tenants

Now it’s time to showcase some of the best apartments available for rent in Birmingham today. The following list has based purely on the verified scores given to the developments by the people who actually live there. This gives you a full ‘insider’s view’ into what it’s really like to call these prime Birmingham apartments home.

*PLEASE NOTE these rankings take into account how many reviews a scheme has and how recently those reviews have been submitted, so may not match the overall star ratings shown. Buildings with a larger number of more recent reviews are given a greater weighting to reflect current building performance.

Rising to the top we have Aston Place, by Dandara Living. Sitting in the heart of the city, the development offers studio to 2-bed apartments. Residents benefit from a gym with fitness classes, resident events and car parking. As well as this, the development is just five minutes from Birmingham New Street Station and the business/retail districts.

Read reviews and details of Aston Place, B1

Coming in at a close-fought 2nd place in Birmingham’s competitive rental apartment rankings is The Whitmore Collection. This iconic setting offers residents a range of 1 & 2 bedroom canal-side apartments, as well as a number of townhouses. These all feature high-quality appliances and video security intercom along with speedy 100MB Virgin broadband. Residents can also enjoy excellent on-site facilities including a residents’ courtyard, gym, clubhouse and private dining room. Birmingham’s famous Jewellery Quarter is also right on your doorstep, as are plenty of meandering canalside walks.

Read reviews and details of The Whitmore Collection, B3

3rd-placed The Mercian offers 481 stunning apartments over 42 storeys. Located on the former site of The Click Club, this rental development is the tallest residential tower in Birmingham. As well as great amenities and views, it offers a 200-metre rooftop running track!

One delighted resident says: “The real highlights for me have been the incredible in-unit amenities. Discovering that my own apartment has a non-coin-operated washing machine with a dryer felt like a revelation! Being able to do laundry whenever I need, and dry my clothes so conveniently, is simply amazing – perhaps I’ve been living under a rock! The high-temperature sanitizing dishwasher is another game-changer; I can say goodbye to handwashing dishes. I was so excited on my first night that I could barely sleep. It truly felt like stepping into a new world.”

Read reviews and details of The Mercian, B15

Popping off like champagne, Corkfield has rocketed into the number 4 spot for Birmingham. This premium development styles itself as a great place to put down roots, grow and thrive. Designed for those who want to work, live and play all under one roof, developers Native have cultivated a vibrant, close-knit community right on the edge of the city. With 375 studio 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, stunning views and a wealth of amenities right on your doorstep. Corkfield is also a stone’s throw from multiple schools, Queen Elizabeth Hospital and excellent transport links.

Read reviews and details of Corkfield, B5

Sliding into the middle spot for the top-ranked developments of Birmingham’s rental scene, The Holloway is situated in the heart of the city and offers the perfect blend of convenience and style. Located in the vibrant heart of Birmingham, The Holloway offers contemporary apartments equipped with state-of-the-art amenities. Enjoy easy access to public transport, shopping centres, and cultural attractions.

Read reviews and details of Apo at The Holloway, B1

Taking 6th place, Hairpin Home offers cosy communal lounges, quiet co-working spaces and a concierge team on-hand 24/7. And it’s all just a hair’s breadth away from the city centre. Modern brand new one- or two-bedroom apartments. Each featuring a fully fitted kitchen including a dishwasher and spacious en suite and/or bathroom. In addition, just a 10-minute walk away from Birmingham city centre, Hairpin House makes the ideal home for anyone seeking spirited scenes in the UK’s second largest city.

Read reviews and details of Hairpin House, B12

In 7th place, The Lansdowne, managed by Way of Life is located in Birmingham’s Edgbaston Village. The building offers 206 apartments, a mix of furnished and unfurnished. There’s also a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments and duplexes on offer. Residents have access to a wide range of amenities too, including 24-hour concierge and free super-fast Wi-Fi. Private facilities include a residents’ gym, lounge, and cycle storage with an attached bike workshop. Residents can also utilise the Cultural Mixer space, which has a residents’ kitchen, big-screen entertainment setups and a dedicated events space.

Read reviews and details of The Lansdowne, B16

The newest neighbourhood in Birmingham – Moda, Loudon’s Yard, takes 8th place. 398 new homes, beautifully landscaped gardens and state-of-the-art amenities. Located less than a mile from Birmingham city centre. Our neighbourhood sits adjacent to Edgbaston Village… a vibrant retail, leisure and lifestyle district.

Read reviews and details of Loudon’s Yard, B16

Nearing the end of our list, in 9th we have Cortland Broad St, which is located just a 15-minute walk from central Birmingham. This 34-storey building features a variety of one- and two-bedroom apartments, available either furnished or unfurnished to accommodate individual styles and needs. Residents have exclusive access to a range of amenities including a Sky Lounge offering panoramic views of the city, private suites for entertaining, a fully equipped fitness centre, and secluded courtyard gardens. With the convenience of 24-hour on-site staff and a vibrant community atmosphere, Cortland Broad St. offers an upscale urban living experience.

Read reviews and details of Cortland Broad St, B15

10th place goes to Sherborne Place is newly managed by ila, who took over from the previous management company, Native on 14th August 2023. The neighbourhood offers 230 apartments balancing the buzz of inner city living with the tranquillity of waterside living. Offering a range of 1 and 2 bedroom, unfurnished and furnished apartments, the friendly on-site team are in place to welcome residents and to provide support throughout their residency.

Read reviews and details of Sherborne Place, B16

Living in Birmingham

Birmingham is the second-largest city in the UK, with over 1.2 million living within the main city area. It’s not just big, it’s also rich in history, culture and opportunity. From its medieval market town roots, it transformed itself into a manufacturing powerhouse during the industrial revolution. Today, it has completely changed its appearance once again, becoming one of the most important UK hubs for tech, healthcare, finance and services-based jobs.

This dramatic shift in purpose has changed the very look and feel of the city. Today, around 60% of Birmingham’s population is under 35, most of them young professionals. This influx of young people has in turn led to surging demand for new retail, dining, entertainment and cultural experiences. And, of course, it’s driving demand for smart yet affordable rental property.

This makes Birmingham a city that is constantly evolving. If you want to live somewhere with thriving nightlife, an outstanding restaurant and café culture, year-round festival opportunities, excellent schools and universities, and much more, then Birmingham delivers.

On top of all that, Birmingham has more canals than Venice and more trees than Paris. This makes it a beautiful, thrilling place to explore and fall in love with.

Birmingham’s Rental Market Boom

The surge of young professionals attracted to Birmingham means that renting is big business. While rents in London fell dramatically in the COVID-19 peaks of 2020 and 2021, prices remained flat in Birmingham. They then picked up dramatically in late 2021 and early 2022 as the vaccine rollout began to take effect.

Between 2022-2027, the average value of Birmingham property is predicted to rise by 4.9% each year. Rental values will rise by 2.8 per cent per year as well. These are among the highest average house price/rental rate rises in the country, outstripping even London.

This is happening partially because the Birmingham housing market is significantly undersupplied. Recent reports suggest that 4,000 new homes need to be built per year for the next 10 years to keep pace with demand. However, only 900 new homes were built per year between 2010 and 2020.

All of this means that Birmingham is a strong growth market, one that developers want to tap into. As major milestones are reached – like hosting the upcoming Commonwealth Games and the completion of Phase 1 of HS2 – Birmingham’s appeal as a property development market, and rental market, will only grow.

If this list has given you the urge to explore Birmingham’s rental market further, check out our area guide below. This will give you a fuller understanding of what Birmingham has to offer, and where to look.

Birmingham is located in the West Midlands in the heart of England. Often described as England’s second city it is a hub of business, tourism and importantly – is home to Cadburys dairy chocolate. Our Birmingham Area Guide looks at the residential regions of Read more about Birmingham

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.

If you’re looking for the best places to live in Aberdeen, look no further than our list of top-rated developments. Our top 5 spots range right across the city, meaning that you can find the right area for you.

Aberdeen, or ‘Granite City’ as it’s affectionately called, has a lot to offer. Firstly, you can find all the comforts and opportunities of city living with plenty of natural beauty close by. Also, it’s a city that prides itself on its history and architecture, as well as its future prospects.

5 Best places to live in Aberdeen

Residents rate the following developments the five best places to live in Aberdeen. You can simply click to visit the dedicated page of any development. There you will find a much more detailed description and a full list of all the residents’ comments.

*PLEASE NOTE these rankings take into account how many reviews a scheme has and how recently those reviews have been submitted, so may not match the overall star ratings shown. Buildings with a larger number of more recent reviews are given a greater weighting to reflect current building performance.

The Point is our top rates development in Aberdeen. Residents rave about its management staff, facilities and central position in the heart of the city. There are 342 apartments available to rent, and all residents benefit from an expansive gym, cinema, break-out area, library, coffee shop and garden terrace. The height of the development’s central tower gives residents excellent views of the city.

Read reviews and details of The Point, AB10

Taking second place is The Campus. CALA Homes built The Campus, also known as Hammerman Drive, in the mid 2000s. The development comprises a selection of one, two and three-bedroom properties. As well as a contemporary design, it benefits from its leafy grounds formerly occupied by Aberdeen College.

Read reviews and details of The Campus, AB24

Third-placed Grandhome just to the north of Aberdeen offers a collection of energy-efficient two, three and four-bedroom homes. Bridge of Don is a 20-minute drive from Aberdeen city centre, but is surrounded by green space and excellent amenities.

Read reviews and details of Grandhome, AB22

Fourth in Aberdeen is Kepplestone by Stewart Milne Homes in the West End of Aberdeen. Comprising four main apartment blocks with open-plan layouts and modern design, residents also benefit from exclusive parking areas.

Read reviews and details of Kepplestone, AB15

Taking fifth place, and situated within the village of Milltimber in the Royal Deeside Corridor, is Oldfold Village by CALA Homes. The development comprises a range of three, four and five-bedroom luxury homes on the outskirts of Aberdeen.

Read reviews and details of Oldfold Village, AB13

Is Aberdeen a good place to live?

With less than a quarter of a million residents, Aberdeen is definitely not overcrowded. However, its city centre is lively and appealing, with no shortage of shopping, nightlife and cultural attractions. Sitting pretty on the coast, and with national parks close at hand, Aberdeen is also a great place to reconnect with nature whenever urban living is getting stressful.

The city also boasts a low crime rate, consistently scoring ‘low’ across a variety of different types of crime. Crime rates in Aberdeen are significantly below the overall UK average. Access to reputable schools is also high in Aberdeen, and the city has three internationally respected universities.

House prices in Aberdeen are also attractive, especially for buyers coming from more expensive parts of the UK. According to Rightmove, average property prices in Aberdeen were just over £185,000 for the year to May 2025. Prices in the city have generally remained steady from last year. Looking more broadly at the housing trend for Aberdeen, prices have steadily been coming down 36% from their peak in 2006 when the average price was closer to £293,000

When it comes to the most desirable areas of Aberdeen, there are a variety of characterful suburbs and communities to choose from. Rosemount and Midstocket is an attractive area with plenty of character and independent retailer, within easy reach of the city centre. Additionally, Old Aberdeen, towards the north of the city and close to the University of Aberdeen, is a consistently popular choice.

Want to know more about what Aberdeen has to offer? Explore our area guide below for a breakdown of Aberdeen’s different areas, national and international transport links and more.

Set within easy reach of the Cairngorms National Park, the city of Aberdeen was named as the best place to live and work in Scotland in a 2019 report by Demos-PwC. Alongside the stunning local scenery, another of the reasons for this was the Read more about Aberdeenshire

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.

Tucked neatly between Chelsea and Hammersmith, Fulham is an often-overlooked part of South West London, but one with plenty to offer. The area boasts some outstanding new build homes, and verified residents are reviewing them on HomeViews. As a result, we can reveal the 5 best places to live in Fulham.

5 best places to live in Fulham

All the top five ranked property developments have been rated solely by residents who live there. Our verified reviewers share their views on what makes the best places to live in Fulham stand out from the competition.

*PLEASE NOTE these rankings take into account how many reviews a scheme has and how recently those reviews have been submitted, so may not match the overall star ratings shown. Buildings with a larger number of more recent reviews are given a greater weighting to reflect current building performance.

Sitting pretty at number 1 is Fulham Riverside, a large redevelopment project which features a good collection of one, two, three, four and five-bedroom apartments. Ease of access is a big plus with residents here, as they have a supermarket, gym, landscaped gardens and various restaurants and cafes on their doorstep. Situated on Townmead Road, the development is only an eleven-minute walk away from Imperial Wharf station, offering links into Central London.

Read reviews and details of Fulham Riverside, SW6

In close second is Imperial Wharf, which is right next to Chelsea Harbour. Built over a former industrial site, this development comprises 1,665 new homes, half of them designated affordable housing. Residents say they love the combination of great views, plenty of excellent nearby restaurants and shops, helpful concierge staff and a genuine sense of community across the development. There’s also has a fitness centre, hotel, offices, retail space and other amenities on site, as well as a new railway station, also called Imperial Wharf, that’s only moments away.

Read reviews and details of Imperial Wharf, SW6

In 3rd, Lillie Square is a newer development with 800 properties, including studios, one, two and three-bedroom apartments, lateral penthouses and townhouses. A recurring theme on this list, the views here are much appreciated by the residents, as is the fact that Brompton Station and Earl’s Court are within a few minutes’ walking distance. There are also plenty of facilities on site, including a pool, jacuzzi and cinema room.

Read reviews and details of Lillie Square, SW6

In 4th we have something of a unique listing. Dungannon House is a BPG development on the very pretty Vanston Place, a cobbled quarter in the middle of Fulham. With its lilac-hued exterior and glass balconies, the property is an ultra-contemporary contrast to the area’s surrounding Victorian architecture. It’s also less than a five-minute walk from Fulham Broadway station, giving access to the District Line.

Read reviews and details of Dungannon House, SW6

Last on our list, and situated on Fulham High Street, we have Bishops Gate. This is a residential development comprising 58 units, with a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments. Fulham Palace and Bishops Park are in close proximity to the development and Putney Bridge station, which offers links into Central London via the District line.

Read reviews and details of Bishops Gate, SW6

Where is Fulham?

Fulham is a large and attractive area of West London as part of the Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. It sits within a rough U-bend of the River Thames, giving easy access to Putney and Wandsworth south of the river.

What’s Fulham like to live in?

Fulham residents say that one of the biggest advantages of living in Fulham is its location. You get easy access to the hustle and bustle of South West London’s livelier parts, but Fulham itself has more of a calmer, quieter appeal. Thanks to its great access to tube and bus links, it’s also an easy hop into the centre of London, and back again!

What is Fulham known for?

Fulham is known for offering up a wide range of appealing benefits to both renters and buyers. It has a good mix of decent transport links, culture and amenities, great schooling options, and a welcoming vibe.

Sitting nicely in the bend of the Thames, it has plenty of tranquil riverside walks and café culture to offer. Plus, leafy Putney is just a short hop over the river. Parson’s Green is right in the centre of Fulham. There is fantastic community spirit here, along with a vast array of inviting boutique shops.

In terms of landmark attractions, there’s the architectural wonder of Fulham Palace, which has Tudor, Georgian and Victorian elements. Alternatively, if you want to experience an antiques hunter’s paradise, Lillie Road is the place to go. If you are a football fan, not only is there Fulham F.C’s Craven Cottage Stadium, Stamford Bridge, home of Chelsea Football Club is also located here.

What are the best areas of Fulham to live?

Fulham has several distinct areas, each with its own local community and amenities, and its own unique atmosphere. The villagey Parson’s Green, with its independent cafés and local restaurants, is an ever-popular choice. Fulham Road, with its stretch of shops and tree-lined residential streets, is an upmarket spot which is also popular with families. North End Road has a diverse, energetic atmosphere, with its daily street market creating a hive of activity. Meanwhile, the sleek, modern developments of Imperial Wharf provide luxury penthouses and river views and includes exclusive Chelsea Harbour.

What are Average property prices in Fulham like in 2024?

Fulham is not cheap. In the 12 months to April 2025, a property in Fulham would have cost you an average of just over £1,100,000 according to Rightmove. This is well over the current London average of £708,000. If you’re looking to buy a flat in Fulham, you’re looking at around £750,000, while terraced houses are close to an average of £1.8 million.

Generally, house prices in Fulham are holding steady, declining just 2.5% in the past year.

If you need to get more of a feel for Fulham and what it has to offer, our area guide is the place to start. Here you’ll find more details on the areas, property types and wider appeal of Fulham (see below).

Fancy Fulham is in the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, flanked by upmarket Kensington & Chelsea. And while it shares its neighbour’s gorgeous terraced townhouses and designer shopping, this pocket of West London is edgier and more affordable. Set on the north bank Read more about Fulham

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.

At less than five square miles, Kensington and Chelsea is smaller than any other London borough. But it is also among the most affluent. Like a Chelsea bun, these two areas have been mixed together to create something richer and more appealing than the sum of their parts. But where to begin finding the best places to live in Kensington and Chelsea, London’s most prestigious borough?

You really are spoiled for choice when it comes to property here, whether you’re a traditionalist or a trend setter. Drawing on the insights of HomeViews reviewers, we’ve compiled a helpful guide to help you get started. Read on to discover five of the best places to live in this premium corner of London.

5 Best places to live in Kensington and Chelsea

So, where is the cream of the crop for property across the borough? Take a look at our top 5 ranked developments. And remember, we have built our list determined solely by resident feedback to HomeViews.

*PLEASE NOTE these rankings take into account how many reviews a scheme has and how recently those reviews have been submitted, so may not match the overall star ratings shown. Buildings with a larger number of more recent reviews are given a greater weighting to reflect current building performance.

A modern development full of clean lines and stylish interiors, Portobello Square is our residents’ number one development for the borough. It features one, two and three-bedroom apartments, while the development itself is right in the heart of the actions, with Ladbroke Grove and Westbourne Park Underground stations both less than a 10-minute walk away, offering links to the Hammersmith & City and Circle lines.

Read reviews and details of Portobello Square, W10

Samuel Square is a new development with one, two and three-bedroom apartments in West Kensington. Interior designers have incorporated elements from the period in which the original building was constructed, yet updated with a contemporary finish. From the sash windows to the boundary brick walls, everything has been repaired or replaced to retain the authentic look […] Read reviews and details of Samuel Square, W14

In 4th place, One Kensington Gardens is a collection of 97 apartments designed by David Chipperfield. Situated in the heart of London, the development is opposite Kensington Palace Gardens and Hyde Park, and within walking distance from the transport links and shops on Kensington High Street.

Read reviews and details of One Kensington Gardens, W8

Rounding off the list in 5th, Holland Park Villas is a joint venture by Grosvenor and Native Land, and comprises 68 one, two, three, four and five-bedroom apartments, and four luxury penthouses overlooking Holland Park. Holland Park is the local station, and Notting Hill and Kensington are just a little further on.

Read reviews and details of Holland Park Villas, W8

What makes Kensington and Chelsea a royal borough?

While many boroughs are described as ‘on the up,’ Kensington and Chelsea have been mainstays of high-society living for centuries. It’s one of only three ‘royal boroughs’ in London, having provided a royal residence in Kensington Palace since 1689.

Over the years, the architecture and design of the palace and its gardens has been touched by English masters. These include Wren, Hawksmoor, Vanbrugh and Gibbons. It was famously the childhood home of a young Alexandrina Victoria, who would later become Queen Victoria. She would, in later life, name the nearby Royal Albert Hall, which lies just south of Kensington Gardens, in her husband’s honour.

For those wondering who lives in Kensington Palace today, it currently serves as a royal residence to the Queen’s grandson and future heir, Prince William and his family. The families of some minor royals also live here.

Living in Kensington and Chelsea – The centre of London’s high life

South Kensington is regularly name-dropped by those offering advice for what to do in central London. The area boasts three of the country’s most popular museums – the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum and the V&A. All of them are within short walking distance and all offer free admission.

While Notting Hill hosts the world’s biggest carnival after Rio de Janeiro, Chelsea is the ‘showier’ side of the borough. This is evident in lending its name to the fashionable ‘Chelsea boot’ in the 1960s, it’s smartly turned out Chelsea pensioners, and for the preponderance or ‘Chelsea Tractors’ – the 4×4 status symbol vehicles commonly seen in this area during school pick-up!

Speaking of showy, Chelsea annually plays host to the RHS Flower Show. This is the pre-eminent flower and landscape gardening event in the UK, if not the world. Prizes here are highly coveted and the attraction is a must-see for even amateur horticulturists.

Where to eat in Kensington and Chelsea, and where to shop!

Shopaholics can easily lose themselves with the scale and variety of retail opportunities across the borough. You can also break up the day with lunch at a staggering number of fine eateries. Whether exploring the latest trends at the artsy Kings Road scene, picking up a rare find at the Portobello Road antiques market, or enjoying some retail therapy in the boutique concessions of Harrods, Knightsbridge, the shopping and dining options in Kensington and Chelsea are essentially endless.

For a more relaxed morning boost, Francophiles may wish to head over to Bute Street for a proper croissant and coffee. The area is home to a large number of French ex-pats and offers all the delights of French café culture.

Average property prices in Kensington and Chelsea

Thanks to its prestigious history, central location and access to high-end amenities, property in Kensington and Chelsea unsurprisingly commands some of the highest prices in the capital.

Average sales prices for property in Kensington and Chelsea in the 12 months to April 2025 were an eye-watering £1,900,000.

However, this can easily shoot up even higher for properties with extra bedrooms and privacy. The average price for a terraced house hovers just over £4 million, while the small number of semi-detached properties sold across the year fetched in excess of £7 million on average.

Renting in this borough is also pricey. The average rental price for a property in Kensington and Chelsea is £5,000 per calendar month, which is almost double the London average.

If you are interested in finding out more about this famous borough, head on over to our Kensington and Chelsea page for more tips and information.

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is up there with the capital’s most affluent areas. It commands top market prices, but its residents can call some of the UK’s most beautiful buildings home. Structures here range from elegant Victorian townhouses, characterised by stepped Read more about Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

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.

Where are the best places to live in Canary Wharf? The best way to find out is by asking the people who already live there, and we’ve done precisely that! Every day, local residents across the capital and around the UK tell us about where they live, including their specific developments. Do you work in Canary Wharf and want to know the best place to live? Discover the best new developments in Canary Wharf itself and the wider E14 area.

Top 5 new build property developments in Canary Wharf

HomeViews reviewers are verified residents – which means you can trust what they tell you about their homes. They rate their buildings on management, design, location, value and facilities. They also comment on what they like and dislike about their homes.

Our reviewers provide real insights into what life is really like in their housing development or apartment building. Read on for an independent ranking of the best new builds to live in Canary Wharf right now.

*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.

A long-time favourite of the area and still number one in Canary Wharf, Greystar’s Sailmakers is a Build to Rent scheme comprising 327 units. It is within the mixed-use Galliard Homes development, Harbour Central. The site is situated on the Isle of Dogs close to the River Thames, and less than a 10-minute walk from the heart of Canary Wharf. In addition, transport links come courtesy of 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. Like our top two entrants, Sailmakers has also claimed a whole host of HomeViews excellence awards.

Read reviews and details of Sailmakers, E14

Taking second spot in Canary Wharf is this selection of affordable studios, one, two and three-bedroom apartments at 30 Harbord Square. Every apartment has been designed to a high-specification and all residents benefit from waterside views of the Thames or westwards towards Canary Wharf. Discover Canary Wharf’s latest neighbourhood, Wood Wharf, and the buzzing nearby residential community set within acres of parks, overlooking the O2 and Greenwich.

Read reviews and details of 30 Harbord Square, E14

Settling into third place is Baltimore Wharf, a mixed-use development from Galliard Homes, comprising residential units, retail outlets and a hotel. There are one and two-bedroom apartments, premium duplexes and penthouses on offer here. The development is moments from the Crossharbour DLR Station and Canary Wharf is less than a 10-minute walk away, which carries the Jubilee line services.

Read reviews and details of Baltimore Wharf, E14

Taking fourth place is 10 George Street, which rises 37 storeys above Canary Wharf’s new district, Wood Wharf. There are 327 ultramodern apartments available, all overlooking waterside gardens and boardwalks below. In addition, residents have exclusive access to “Vertus+.” This includes access to a 24/7 gym studio, self-service bar, private dining room and lounge which opens out onto a large, south-facing terrace. Residents love this mix of exceptional on-site facilities and easy access to the thriving Canary Wharf scene.

Read reviews and details of 10 George Street, E14

In fifth, Ten Park Drive is a contemporary development by Canary Wharf Group. It’s situated in the heart of Canary Wharf and comprises of just under 350 apartments. Floorplans span studios, one, two and three-bedroom units. Transport links come courtesy of Canary Wharf station (for Jubilee line and DLR services), along with nearby Heron Quays.

Read reviews and details of Ten Park Drive, E14

In sixth, Wardian has slowly but surely been making a name for itself, quietly gathering more and more positive residents’ rankings and comments, moving up to number two in the area’s top rated developments and earning more awards in 2021-2022. Named after botanist Nathanial Bagshaw Ward, Wardian London is a unique residential development from EcoWorld and Ballymore, and designed by Glenn Howells. The development offers one and two-bedroom apartments and a collection of suites, all close to Canary Wharf’s Jubilee line, DLR, Thames Clipper services and London City Airport.

Read reviews and details of Wardian London, E14

Seventh-placed Ability Place by Ability Group is a residential development offering 600 apartments over 21 floors. There’s a mix of studios, one, two and three-bedroom apartments on offer, as well as a selection of penthouses. South Quay DLR station is the closest to the property, but there’s also a reliable bus network locally and the Jubilee line is close by via Canary Wharf.

Read reviews and details of Ability Place, E14

In eighth place, South Quay Plaza offer 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments and penthouses overlooking Canary Wharf. SQP residents receive exclusive access to The Quay Club, where they can enjoy a range of hotel-style modern amenities. SQP is nestled within 2.6 acres of serene, green landscaping, whilst overlooking Canary Wharf. Within a five minute walk you can access Central London and beyond via DLR, Jubilee Line and the Elizabeth Line.

Read reviews and details of South Quay Plaza, E14

Sitting ninth The Liberty Building is a residential development from Telford Homes. It features one, two and three-bedroom apartments and a penthouse. There are 155 units here (30% affordable) in a trio of ‘cluster’ towers that dominate the Canary Wharf skyline. Also, residents will have access to enviable transport links to the City, Stratford and the West End.

Read reviews and details of The Liberty Building, E14

Taking 10th place for Canary Wharf, Able Quay Millharbour is a stylish collection of 2-bedroom apartments. The development features a number of landscaped green spaces with a sunken garden and water feature.

Read reviews and details of Able Quay, E14

Living in Canary Wharf

Canary Wharf has, at times, been accused of being soulless and shiny. Not much going on at the weekend. The area is, though, home to an increasing number of residents, as well as the 100,000 office workers that arrive on a daily basis. There are also expanded shopping options, including a John Lewis, that have brought more energy and a homely feel to the community.

The majority of Canary Wharf homes are found in modern glass skyscrapers such as Pan Peninsula in South Quay. However, converted warehouses such as those found in West India Quay offer a more relaxed living style. Moving south and down into the Isle of Dogs and E14 offers an even quieter and more suburban feel.

Eating out at Canary Wharf

Canary Wharf has attracted plenty of great restaurants, all looking to cater to the area’s mix of young professionals, families and high-powered businesses. If you’re a brunch fan, you have plenty of choice. Try The Breakfast Club’s unbeatable eggs or the ever-popular meaty sandwiches at Birleys.

There’s plenty of regional variation on offer too. Mama’s Jerk is a great Caribbean hangout, while Ahi Poké will give you bowls bursting with Hawaiian flavour. There’s everything from vegan burger bars to top-notch tapas and Middle Eastern sharing extravaganzas to explore too.

Canary Wharf Property Prices

So, how much will living in Canary Wharf set you back? April 2025 figures from Rightmove reveal that the average property price in the area is currently around £613,000. Flats drove most of the sales at an average of £605,000, with terraced homes going for £705,000. Meanwhile, semi-detached properties fetched nearly £920,000 during the same period. As of April 2025, rentals cost around £2,500 per calendar month, on average, for the E14 area (Home.co.uk).

The HomeViews blog has recently been selected as one of the Top UK Property Blogs. Check out our Canary Wharf area guide below to find out more about the area, or discover London’s 10 highest-rated young professional accommodation options for great rental developments across the city.

Only a few decades ago, Canary Wharf was just a network of long-abandoned industrial docks. Now it’s a buzzing business and residential district, its cloud-skimming buildings full of state-of-the-art new-build apartments, hotel rooms and offices. The location often referred to as Canary Wharf consists Read more about Canary Wharf

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.

Like so much of East London, Barking is on the up and up. A combination of sustained urban regeneration and private investment is turning Barking from a ‘work in progress’ to a ‘worth the wait’ prospect. We take a look at the new developments that make up the 10 best places to live in Barking, according to reviewers on HomeViews.

10 best places to live in Barking

Let’s see what HomeViews resident reviewers have to say about Barking’s highest-rated new homes. As always, these rankings are based solely on verified reviews submitted by actual residents of the property developments listed.

*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.

At the top of the table, we have Apo Barking. This is a sizeable development situated on the banks of the River Roding and opposite Abbey Park. It features a range of studios, 1 and 2-bed apartments, and residents can choose from various flexible leases and apartment upgrades. In addition, there are plenty of excellent amenities and facilities on site. This includes an exclusive onsite gym, The Barking Local, a co-working and lounge space as well as The Hub, the Apo HQ where residents can get help with any day-to-day requirements from the on-site management team. Likewise, there is a members’ roof terrace on the 7th floor. Apo Barking even has its own residents’ app!

Read reviews and details of Apo Barking, IG11

Jumping up from 4th to 2nd in recent months, Abbeville Apartments is a Grainger PLC development offering one, two and three-bedroom apartments – all rental only. Residents are big fans of the modern yet cosy design, as well as the handy location. Local amenities such as key shops, transport links and Asda supermarket are all very close by. Barking train station is also conveniently close, which means easy access for residents to the Overground, National Rail and District line services.

Read reviews and details of Abbeville Apartments, IG11

Want to discover apartments in Barking? Well, now you have! In 3rd place for Barking, Discover Apartments is a development by Country & Metropolitan, and it features 254 residential units with a range of 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments, all designed and fitted to a high standard. The development is situated alongside the River Roding (there’s also a canoe club connected to the development,) and Barking Station is only a 17-minute walk away, providing connections to the Overground and c2c rail services into Central London.

Read reviews and details of Discover Apartments, IG11

In 4th place, it’s a development made for residents who want a slice of the simple life. Simple Life London at Fresh Wharf is a Build to Rent development offering one and two-bedroom apartments, all fully furnished and pet-friendly. Apartments also offer great views, particularly those facing the river. The development is also nicely close to Canary Wharf, which is less than a 20-minute drive away.

Read reviews and details of Simple Life London at Fresh Wharf, IG11

In 5th, we’re sticking with Fresh Wharf, the main development by Countryside and Notting Hill Genesis. Situated on the Barking waterfront, this is a new and already-popular mixed-use community. It represents a highly desirable new destination with direct links to the City and beyond.

Read reviews and details of Fresh Wharf, IG11

In 6th place, Barking Central is a joint venture development between Redrow Homes and Galliard Homes. It comprises 272 one and two-bedroom apartments and three-bed homes. In addition, the development is conveniently located in the centre of Barking. Barking station is also in close proximity. Residents have access to a variety of Underground, Overground and National Rail Services. In 2011, Barking Central received an RIBA Award for architectural excellence.

Read reviews and details of Barking Central, IG11

7th-placed Rivermill Lofts is a development by Weston Homes, comprising 118 residential units with a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments. The development is adjacent to the River Roding and only a 12-minute walk away from Barking station, which has connections to the Overground and c2c train services.

Read reviews and details of Rivermill Lofts, IG11

Rising to number 8, we’re headed down to the Weavers Quarter, another L&Q development built in partnership with the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. It offers 421 exceptional apartments within central Barking, where residents can reach Liverpool Street in just 22 minutes.

Read reviews and details of Weavers Quarter, IG11

A key part of the new and exciting regeneration of the wider area, Barking Riverside is a L&Q and Bellway Residential development and currently occupies 9th place in Barking. The development offers a selection of studio, one, two and three-bedroom apartments and a range of houses. It also includes 100 units of specific build-to-rent units operated and managed by L&Q PRS. Upney Station is the closest form of public transportation, serving the District Line Service to Upminster.

Read reviews and details of Barking Riverside, IG11

Finally, rounding off Barking’s top 10 list we have the subset of 100 build-to-rent units offered by L&Q at Barking Riverside. Again, this development is one of the most exciting placemaking projects in Europe. Barking Riverside will transform a former industrial site along the River Thames into a new London district. As well as this, the site is alongside two kilometres of south-facing Thames river frontage. In addition, residents can benefit from the area becoming a vibrant neighbourhood of over 10,000 homes.

Read reviews and details of L&Q at Barking Riverside Private Rental, IG11

Is Barking a good place to live?

Barking is an East London town that has plenty going for it. The completely revamped town centre leads the way. It provides an excellent offering of familiar high street chains with characterful independent stores and restaurants mixed in.

As for culture, Barking sports a wide variety of historic buildings. The jewel of these is the gorgeous Eastbury Manor House – a National Trust property. There’s also a good range of green spaces to be found. Barking sports a respectable 25 public parks of varying sizes.

Transport links are another string to Barking’s bow. Both the District Line and the Hammersmith & City lines run through it. This means you can be in central London comfortably within 30 minutes. The A12 and A13 also provide solidly accessible road links between Barking and the rest of London.

What are the best areas to live in Barking?

Barking has a bustling town centre area, with numerous residential streets around the centre and Barking Station offering a wealth of period terraced and semi-detached properties, along with easy access to the local amenities. To the west, between the historic Barking Abbey ruins and the River Roding, there is a wealth of modern developments, while some of the area’s most desirable housing can be found on the doorstep of Barking Park.

Average property prices in Barking

Overall, Barking and Dagenham remains one of the cheapest London boroughs in which to buy property. For April 2025, the average property price stood at £360,000. Flats went, on average, for a reasonable £240,000. With property prices falling across the UK in 2025, Barking is one of the few places where prices are holding steady, and even rising slightly.

Barking’s healthy price averages make the borough a magnet for first-time buyers. Not to mention investors looking to get in before Barking really takes off. As for renting, Barking’s monthly average is £1,800, which places it significantly below London’s average of £3,000 PCM.

If you’ve gone Barking mad, take a look at our dedicated area guide for more information on this up-and-coming East London town. This should give you a better chance of finding the best places to live in Barking, according to your budget and taste.

London’s largest regeneration scheme, Barking is something of a work-in-progress. For instance, project milestones include a brand-new town centre completed in 2007, as well as an ongoing riverside neighbourhood that’ll be packed with restaurants and shops when complete. But where are the best places Read more about Barking

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.

Discover the five highest-rated new build homes developments in Hayes, Hillingdon. Residents have rated the area’s new sales and rental properties to give you a useful guide to the best available new builds. Find your perfect new property to rent or buy with this essential Top 5 – as rated by the people who live there!

Living in Hayes, Hillingdon

Industrial and commercial hub Hayes has not always been seen as a desirable residential district. However, with Crossrail services now running from Hayes & Hillingdon station and extensive redevelopment works underway, Hayes is now firmly on the map as a thriving commuter town. Now that the Elizabeth Line is fully open, up to 10 trains an hour connect the area to Reading or Heathrow in the west or through the Central London tunnels to Essex and South East London.

5 best new build developments in Hayes, Hillingdon

So, where exactly are the best new build developments in Hayes? Nobody knows this better than the people who already live there, so we asked them! We asked what they think not only about their area but also their opinions on where they live specifically. Here’s the inside scoop from the people who know Hayes best.

*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.

Fizzy Hayes UB3 takes the crown for highest-rated new homes development in Hayes, according to residents. The development is made up of one, two and three-bedroom apartments from award-winning Build to Rent developer Fizzy Living. It’s in south Hayes, right near Hayes & Harlington Station, and just a short drive from London Heathrow Airport. The development also sits between two popular green spaces – Minet Country Park and Lake Farm Country Park.

Read reviews and details of Fizzy Hayes, UB3

Taking second, and formerly known as be:here Hayes, Apo at The Gatefold is a residential development comprising of 119 one, two and three-bedroom apartments. It offers commercial units including restaurants, leisure amenities and a music venue. In addition, the development is close to Hayes & Harlington station, the M4, M25 and Heathrow Airport.

Read reviews and details of Apo at The Gatefold, UB3

Our third big hitter in Hayes is Homesgate Place – a Barratt Homes development comprising 183 residential dwellings, including a range of one and two-bedroom apartments and studios alongside a mix of one, two, three, four and five-bedroom houses. The development is a 7-minute walk away from Barra Hall Park and a 19-minute walk away from Hayes & Harlington station.

Read reviews and details of Homesgate Place, UB3

Taking fourth place for the best new build property developments in Hayes, it’s Empire House – a newcomer to the list. This rental development from Hamptons International is located in a popular and convenient position within easy reach of Hayes town centre and close to the banks of the Grand Union Canal.

Read reviews and details of Empire House, UB3

Fifth place is taken by Arena by Barratt Homes, with its 261 residential units providing a mix of one, two, three, four and five-bedroom apartments. The development is located in Hayes and is only a 29-minute walk to Hayes & Harlington station, which offers links to the GWR and TFL Rail services.

Read reviews and details of Arena, UB3

In sixth we have a relative newcomer that’s really making waves in Hayes. NewHayes is an new development located at the heart of this up-and-coming part of West London. It has a selection of well-designed studio, one, two and three-bedroom apartments. This includes wheelchair-accessible apartments and parking. In addition, there are number of distinctive area to enjoy, from podium gardens to a family-friendly woodland area as well as Chalfont Square.

Read reviews and details of NewHayes, UB3

Taking seventh in our rankings, it’s The Beat from Network Homes situated in Hayes town, an area with a musical history when it was former home to famous music company EMI. With the addition of the new Elizabeth Line, along with three other rail stations in the local vicinity, the West End is just 30-minutes away and Canary Wharf is less than an hour. You are also in easy reach of surrounding towns such as Uxbridge and Southall.

Read reviews and details of The Beat, UB3

In eighth place in Hayes, High Point Village is a residential development from the Ballymore Group designed by Rolfe Judd comprising a selection of studio, one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments. Located in Hayes Town commuters benefit from the local Hayes & Harlington Station being just a stone’s throw from the development. The local amenities include a Royal Mail Post office, Barclays bank an Argos and a Tesco.

Read reviews and details of High Point Village, UB3

Ninth-placed Hayes Village is a development from Barratt London, offering 1,500 new homes as part of a significant regeneration project in this area of Hayes. Benefiting from the preserved industrial features, the apartments are unique with high ceilings and large Crittall-style windows.

Read reviews and details of Hayes Village, UB3

Taking 10th place, The Stylus in Hayes, UB3, offers a variety of living options including studios, one to three-bedroom apartments, and three-bedroom maisonettes, each furnished and complemented by balconies, a roof terrace, and a multi-level podium garden. Situated near the Grand Union Canal and less than 2 minutes’ walk from Hayes & Harlington station, it is ideal for commuting and offers amenities like free broadband, secure parking, and electric vehicle charging. The development’s design includes biodiverse roofs and is part of a sophisticated urban aesthetic in West London​.

Read reviews and details of The Stylus, UB3

Hayes’ industrial past

Hayes is perhaps best known as being the original home of record label EMI. They produced many records by The Beatles in Hayes. The company’s Grade II-listed buildings remain as the Old Vinyl Factory complex. The fact that it’s still standing today is a proud tribute to the area’s rich industrial past.

Renowned guitar amplifier maker Marshall also had its first factory in Hayes. International companies like Heinz and Nestlé previously had their UK headquarters in the town. Meanwhile, West London Film Studios in Hayes continues to bring Hollywood stars to this unlikely corner of Middlesex for movies such as Thor: the Dark World and World War Z.

Property prices in Hayes, Hillingdon

The average price of a property in Hayes, Hillingdon is currently around £419,000. This is according to the latest statistics from Rightmove (April 2025). The average price of a flat in Hayes came in at £257,000 and a semi-detached house averaged at around £499,000.

Discover more highly-rated new homes on the westerly Crossrail route or explore the Top 10 places to live in West London. You can also check out our dedicated area guide below. Find out just how many great new homes Hayes has to offer.

Once an industrial hub for factory workers, it’s fair to say that the Hayes area hasn’t historically been considered prime real estate territory. But with Crossrail on its way, and an emerging reputation as the ‘Shoreditch of the West’, all that looks set to Read more about Hayes

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.

Which are the best UK house builders when it comes to build quality? HomeViews collects reviews from verified residents in thousands of new build homes across the country, providing feedback on every aspect of buying, renting and living in their homes. If you’re considering buying or renting a new build, take a look at our rankings to see which developers build to the highest standards.

How do UK house builders rank on build quality?

Build quality is understandably one of the key considerations for buyers and renters when deciding where to live. Having confidence in the build quality of your home can relieve fears of snagging problems and put your mind at ease when it comes to maintenance costs. On average, build quality receives the third-highest ratings for buyers in the ‘buying experience’ HomeViews review categories.

This puts it behind build timetable and customer service ratings, but above aftersales care. Interestingly, Shared Owners tend to rate the build quality of their developments higher than buyers on HomeViews.

Which regions have the best build quality?

Build quality scores vary for new build homes according to their region. For new-build buyers, London, with its wealth of luxury developments, rates the highest for build quality.

The Midlands ranks second-highest and East of England third. Developments in the South and North of England are fourth and fifth respectively.

The top 10 UK house builders for build quality

So, which of the UK’s new home builders rank best for build quality? Take a look at our rankings below, to help guide your new build property search.

The list is based on our 2025 HomeViews Resident Choice Awards rankings based on reviews submitted between 1 April 2023 and 1 April 2025.

These were based on Verified reviews on HomeViews, and required the developer to have at least three developments across sales properties, Housing Association homes and Housing Developments. The rankings below are based on Build Quality ratings, and developers required a minimum of 50+ Verified reviews to be eligible.

1. Berkeley Group

Build quality rating: 4.15 out of 5

Berkeley Group has a long-running reputation for quality across its buildings and customer service teams, and it rates as the top developer for build quality in our rankings. Operating across London, Birmingham and the South of England, Berkeley’s ethos is to build lasting communities with a focus on sustainability.

2. The Hill Group

Build quality rating: 4.08 out of 5

The Hill Group is second in our list of the highest-rated developers for build quality. The developer impresses residents with the quality of its homes throughout London and the South East of England. Hill has secured various other accolades in the housebuilding industry, including 5-star status from the Home Builders Federation’s Customer Satisfaction Survey in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

3. FABRICA

Build quality rating: 4.00 out of 5

FABRICA ranks third in our listing of the best developers for build quality. With 17 developments reviewed on HomeViews, FABRICA provides a mix of suburban family housing and modern apartment developments, mostly focused in Surrey and West London.

4. Countryside

Build quality rating: 3.94 out of 5

Countryside operates across London, the South East, the North West of England and the West Midlands, and was founded in 1958. Taking fourth place in this year’s list, Countryside also creates affordable and private housing for local authorities and housing associations through planning agreements, PRS housing, mixed use schemes and joint ventures.

5. Davidsons Homes

Build quality rating: 3.93 out of 5

Davidsons takes fifth place in our ranking, with its 24 developments garnering an average score for build quality of 3.93 out of 5. For over fifty years, this family owned and managed developer has been creating beautifully designed properties across the Midlands. Davidsons Homes take pride in building solid, distinctive homes and creating unique places with characterful landscaping and open spaces.

6. Northstone

Build quality rating: 3.92 out of 5

Sixth-placed Northstone is part of the Peel Group, a northern-based developer providing quality, innovative homes. They strive to create spaces, environments and communities for families to thrive. With spaces to fit the needs of modern life and embrace technology, Northstone aims to enhance local ecosystems with a commitment to sustainability and a people-first approach.

7. Barratt Homes

Build quality rating: 3.75 out of 5

With reviews on HomeViews for 56 of its developments, Barratt Homes/Barratt London takes tenth place. Barratt Developments Plc is one of the UK’s largest property developers with over 30 operating divisions. (Note: this ranking combines ratings for both Barratt Homes and Barratt London).

8. Lovell Homes

Build quality rating: 3.74 out of 5

With 67 developments reviewed on HomeViews, Lovell takes eighth place with an average build quality score of 3.74 out of 5. Lovell Homes specialises in helping first-time buyers get on the property ladder with a range of incentives that make purchasing a property more affordable. With a focus on sustainability, quality design and customer service, Lovell Homes aims to build not just homes, but communities.

9. Higgins Homes PLC

Build quality rating: 3.73 out of 5

Taking ninth place, Higgins Homes PLC is an award-winning developer that builds and designs properties across London, Essex, Hertfordshire and Kent. This family-run company has been operating for more than 50 years. Every Higgins Homes development is crafted with care, attention to detail and is guaranteed for 10 years by a national warranty provider.

10. Southern Housing

Build quality rating: 3.65 out of 5

Rounding off the list in 10th place, Southern Housing is one of the largest housing providers in the UK. The developer has 36 schemes listed on HomeViews, with an average build quality score of 3.65 out of 5. It offers a wide range of housing options, including: Traditional social housing, Shared ownership, Affordable rent, Private market rent, Student accommodation, Care and support services and Outright sales.

2025 Resident Choice Awards

The rankings in this article are taken from HomeViews’ 2025 Resident Choice Awards, which took place in Birmingham on 13th February. The awards are the property industry’s only awards based purely on verified resident reviews.

Top 5 things new build owners wish they’d known before buying

Before you go, here’s a quick rundown of the top 5 things that new-build buyers say they wish they’d known before purchasing. This list comes from our latest free New Build Buyer’s Guide. You can check that out in the link, where you’ll also find the full top 10 list. In this order of priority, prior to buying, new-build buyers wish they’d known more about:

1. The developer and property manager
2. Parking arrangements
3. The quality of the garden
4. Snagging surveys – how they work, what the developer’s conditions are, etc
5. How the property looks/feels at different times of the day.

So bear these important points in mind if you intend to search for a new-build property.

The biggest housebuilders in the UK

The best housebuilders for build quality aren’t necessarily going to be the biggest developers, though there is some overlap between the two. Below is a list of the biggest housebuilders in the UK, as listed on letsbuild.com. As you can see, both Barratt and Bellway feature on both lists:

1. Barratt Developments
2. Kier Group
3. Taylor Wimpey
4. Persimmon Group
5. Galliford Try
6. Bellway
7. Redrow
8. Willmott Dixon

The only dedicated property review site

Reviews on HomeViews cover a range of subjects, including facilities, design, location, value, and property management. They also include ratings and reviews on a number of topics not shown publicly on the site.

These cover specific elements of the renting or buying experience, including customer service, build timetable, aftersales care and build quality. By gathering such detailed information on UK home builders, you can be sure HomeViews reviews cover all the angles to give a fair representation of each development and house builder.

Find this list and other UK rankings for the UK’s new build developers and developments in our latest New Build Resident Experience Report.

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.

New apartments in Stratford have made Newham a major housing hotspot. With residential developments now clustered around the Olympic Park, how do you find the best Stratford flats for sale or to rent? Ask the residents!

Hundreds of residents have reviewed their Stratford apartment buildings on HomeViews. Reviews are verified, so you know you can trust the insights being given there. Find out what it’s really like to live in the very best new flats in Stratford’s most desirable developments!

10 best new build Stratford apartment developments

We’ve put together a list of the 10 highest-rated new build Stratford apartment buildings. Remember, these ratings are based on detailed reviews by the people who actually live there. They’ve rated their developments on facilities, value, design, location and management.

Once you find a building you like the look of, simply click on it to see detailed reviews. You can also click on the developer’s name to see their rating as well. A building’s management is crucial to the happiness of its residents!

*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.

Greystar’s Coppermaker Square is top of the pile when it comes to Stratford apartments. The development offers 1,225 rental apartments in a vibrant city neighbourhood, available to move in now, where residents can benefit from resident-only amenities including a 25m pool, spa, gym and studios, co-working space, roof terrace, private dining space and more. Situated in the heart of Stratford, East London’s new cultural hub. Residents can enjoy green spaces and amenities on their doorstep in a well-connected area of London.

Read reviews and details of Coppermaker Square, E20

East Village E20 is the second-rated new apartment development in Stratford. Formerly the Athletes’ Village for the London 2012 Olympics, this scheme is now a thriving community of more than 6,000 residents. Homes are available for market rent through Get Living and Triathlon Homes manages homes available via social rent, intermediate rent and shared ownership. The mixed-use development has a retail and leisure offer with 30 independent operators as well as 25 acres of parklands and wetlands. It also neighbours Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Westfield Stratford City.

Read reviews and details of East Village, E20

Taking third place, Stratford Halo offers a contemporary collection of apartments in a prime East London location, developed by Notting Hill Genesis. Located adjacent to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Westfield Stratford City, this 43-storey development provides exceptional transport links via Stratford International and Stratford Station. With its impressive height and strategic positioning, Stratford Halo delivers a dynamic living experience in one of London’s most vibrant neighbourhoods.

Read reviews and details of Stratford Halo, E15

In fourth, Glasshouse Gardens is a residential development near the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in East London. Brought to us by Land Lease Europe and voted into fourth place, it features a mix of studios and one, two and three-bedroom apartments, all of which overlook the park. Stratford International station and Westfield Stratford City are both within close proximity.

Read reviews and details of Glasshouse Gardens, E20

Fifth-placed Hannah Court in London’s E15 area offers luxury flats with contemporary design. Located on Holbrook Road, it’s conveniently close to Plaistow and Stratford Stations. The flats feature open-plan living areas, luxury bathrooms, and en-suite shower rooms. Designed for young professionals and students, the development includes communal lift access and secure entry. The option for parking and proximity to local amenities adds to its appeal​​​​.

Read reviews and details of Hannah Court, E15

Stratford Central is a 31-storey residential tower, set on Great Eastern Street in Stratford. It is just a short hop from Stratford’s Underground, Overground and DLR stations. Also, it is close to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Furthermore, there are 157 units here, comprising a mixture of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, suites and penthouses, all with kitchens by Urban Myth.

Read reviews and details of Stratford Central, E15

Taking seventh place, New Stratford Works is a development by Higgins Homes. Making it to seventh place, it is part of the vast regeneration of the Chobham Manor area. Nearby, you’ll find a range of supermarkets, a John Lewis department store, and a huge variety of retail outlets at Westfield Stratford. Two train stations and various bus routes are also just a short walk away.

Read reviews and details of New Stratford Works, E15

Next up, Sugar House Island offers homes, flexible office spaces, creative hubs and independent retail, all set within an easily accessible East London location. Surrounded by parks and waterways, the Island will be a hive of activity, day and night.

Read reviews and details of Sugar House Island, E15

New Garden Quarter by Telford Homes sits in the heart of Stratford – and eighth place. Just 10 minutes from Stratford station, residents benefit from a variety of amenities, with Westfield around the corner. As well as this, the development has a 24-hour concierge, a residents’ gym and landscaped gardens.

Read reviews and details of New Garden Quarter, E15

10th placed Manhattan Loft Gardens is a mixed-use development that includes a hotel, restaurants and rental-only loft apartments – all of which overlook the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Situated adjacent to Stratford International, residents enjoy speedy transport links into Central London and beyond via its Overground, National Rail and DLR services. St Pancras International is just six minutes away. Trendy Hackney Wick is also close by.

Read reviews and details of Manhattan Loft Gardens, E20

Folio London own and manage 401 apartments to rent at Stratford Halo by Notting Hill Genesis. The development borders the Olympic Park and the former Athletes’ Village, with great views of the Stadium and the Orbit Tower. Stratford station is only a 10-minute walk away. Our residents reviewed the development into 11th place.

Read reviews and details of Folio London at Stratford Halo, E15

In 12th place, Folio London own and manage 112 one, two and three-bed apartments and duplexes at New Garden Quarter in Stratford by Telford Homes. The development is only minutes away from Stratford International and Underground stations, with Westfield Shopping Centre and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park also nearby.

Read reviews and details of Folio London at New Garden Quarter, E15

Unex Tower in Stratford is a modern, mixed-use residential-led development from Telford Homes. Previously known as Stratford Plaza, it comprises of one, two and three-bedroom apartments. In addition, it is located close to Stratford Underground and Stratford International. Unex Tower is also within walking distance of Westfield Stratford City, East Village (the former Olympics Athletes’ […] Read reviews and details of Unex Tower, E15

Legacy Wharf is a Bellway development of one, two and three-bedroom apartments in Stratford, East London. Its riverside location and excellent transport links – Westfield Stratford City and Stratford International (for Central and Jubilee line and National Rail connections) – helped gain Legacy Wharf a place in our rankings.

Read reviews and details of Legacy Wharf, E15

One Eighty Stratford High Street is a residential development featuring a selection of one, two and three-bedroom apartments in a 24-storey building with views across East London. The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Westfield Stratford Shopping Centre are both within walking distances from the development and Stratford station is the nearest transport link with connections […] Read reviews and details of One Eighty Stratford High Street, E15

Managed and developed by Rooms & Studios, The Tanneries is a selection of two-bedroom maisonettes and apartments in Stratford, East London. All units are available under private rental arrangements. Residents have the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park within easy reach, along with the popular Westfield Stratford City mall. Read reviews and details of The Tanneries, E15

Chobham Manor is a collaboration between L&Q and Taylor Wimpey. It’s a huge development in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, featuring 850 new homes in addition to commercial space and community facilities. The units will include one, two, three, four and five-bedroom apartments, with a number being sold on a Help to Buy scheme. Read reviews and details of Chobham Manor, E20

Next up is Telford Homes’ the Stratosphere – a collection of one, two and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses. Located on The Broadway in Stratford, East London, these homes are set within a striking 36-storey tower with views across to Canary Wharf and the City, and over the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It also lies close to Westfield Stratford shopping mall and Stratford station.

Read reviews and details of Stratosphere, E15

East Wick + Sweetwater is a joint venture with Touchstone Resi and Places for People. Touchstone manage 105 rental homes in the heart of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Furthermore, residents benefit from Copper Box arena, London Stadium and many other venues on the doorstep. Additionally, an events calendar runs all-year round throughout the park […] Read reviews and details of East Wick + Sweetwater, E20

Stratford regeneration

Perhaps London’s biggest beneficiary of the 2012 Olympics, Stratford has enjoyed massive regeneration since that memorable summer. Much of the staggering £6.25 billion spent on getting London ready for the games went to building projects in and around Stratford.

Westfield Stratford City – Europe’s largest shopping mall – was also completed prior to the games in 2011. In response, Stratford property prices have seen remarkable growth. Today (April 2025) a property in Stratford will set you back on average around £487,000, with prices climbing around 2% in the past year. Flats average around £429,000, so don’t expect to find many opportunities for bargains here.

Since the Jubilee line extension reached Stratford back in 1999, the area has also enjoyed outstanding transport connections. These have only been enhanced by the recent arrival of the Elizabeth Line. In addition, DLR services provide swift connections to London City Airport, Excel and Beckton, while the Central line connects with Liverpool Street and Bank. The Overground links through to Hackney, Walthamstow, Tottenham and beyond, while TfL Rail service connect with Romford to the east.

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