A lettings agency claims to have identified which boroughs in the capital offer the best prospects for buy to let investors wanting family-friendly properties.

Portico analysed a large cross-section of data from Rightmove, taking into account the following metrics related to family-friendly living.

These included average property prices, the number of three bed units listed, the percentages of homes with outdoor space and gardens, those with parking, freehold units, and those with close proximity to schools or in areas with high numbers of crime.

Formulating the overall score of each metric for each borough and ranking the results, Portico was able to determine the most (and least) family-friendly boroughs. 

 According to this data analysis, the following London boroughs make for the best family-friendly living in the capital.

1. Hillingdon – plenty of green space, reputable schools, lots of freehold properties and homes with outdoor space, Hillingdon residents also enjoy a relatively low crime rate. With 246 three-bedroom properties available at an average price of £577,192, Hillingdon takes the top spot for family-friendly London living.

2. Kingston upon Thames – featuring a wide selection of highly regarded ‘Ofsted’ schools, Kingston upon Thames’ average three-bedroom prices are a little higher at £774,833, but come with a high chance of gardens and freehold options. It is also London’s 2nd safest borough according to the latest crime figures released by the Metropolitan Police. 

3. Richmond upon Thames – the most expensive borough in the top ten with an average three-bedroom price of £919,082, Richmond upon Thames nevertheless achieved third place overall, as it is the safest of all London boroughs and features many properties with gardens and outdoor space. There are also a good number of more affordable property options around the Hampton and Twickenham pockets.

4. Havering – offering the most freehold options of any borough, Havering also has a low crime rate, a reasonable chance of finding property with outdoor space/gardens, and an affordable average three-bedroom price point of £523,146.

5. Harrow – with a relatively low crime rate and lots of opportunity to find a property with outdoor space/gardens, and parking, Harrow completes the top five for family-friendliness, with an average price of £632,310 for three-bedroom homes.

The boroughs of Redbridge, Bexley, Sutton, Barnet, and Waltham Forest close out the top 10 list for family-friendly living as revealed by Portico’s data analysis.  The report also breaks down the metrics individually, revealing the ranking of boroughs based on each for a comprehensive view of how each area fares.

 The full report is here.