A new survey by Goodlord confirms the higher demand for homes near good transport services.

The Goodlord survey highlights a powerful trend in the London rental market: proximity to new transport links—particularly the Elizabeth Line—is directly fuelling significant rent increases. Here’s a concise breakdown of the key insights and implications:

Headline Findings

• Central London hotspots near Elizabeth Line stations have seen rent increases of up to 80%:

  • W1F (Tottenham Court Rd/Bond Street): +80% (£2,448 → £4,402)

  • Whitechapel: +73% (£1,699 → £2,940)

  • Canary Wharf: +27% (£1,956 → £2,489)

• Outer London areas are also feeling the pressure:

  • Stratford/Maryland: +29% (£1,681 → £2,163)

  • Acton Main Line: +28% (£1,600 → £2,040)

  • Woolwich: +40% (£1,307 → £1,833)

  • Abbey Wood: +50% (£1,157 → £1,738)

• Commuter towns outside London haven’t been spared:

  • Brentwood (CM13): +33% (£1,411 → £1,873)

  • Slough: +27% (£1,033 → £1,314)

  • Reading: +21% (£1,089 → £1,313)

  • Shenfield: +19% (£1,524 → £1,819)

What’s Driving This?

• Improved connectivity makes locations more desirable—especially for commuters.

• Demand spikes as renters target newly accessible, previously overlooked areas.

• Limited rental supply intensifies competition, leading to “station surge” pricing.

Implications for Renters and Policy

• Tenants face diminishing options for affordable rents in well-connected zones.

• Landlords benefit from higher yields in these transport-linked corridors.

• Urban planners and housing policymakers need to consider affordability controls and housing supply boosts when planning new transport infrastructure.