London Lettings - March 2008
Look out for Ant and Dec in the local
Report on Chiswick by Vanessa Reast of Fitz-Gibbon
Demand for good quality, one and two-bedroom homes in Chiswick continues to outstrip supply, and as ever the majority of tenants favour properties close to Chiswick High Road.
Time is of the essence in the current market and tenants must be prepared to make quick decisions - we've just let a property on Whellock Road within 42 hours of it being listed. One-bedroom apartments are currently starting at £220 per week and two-bedroom homes are available for between £300 and £600 per week. Three-bedroom properties are valued between £450 and £950 per week for a luxurious riverside property, and those with four-plus bedrooms can reach anything upwards of £650 per week.
Serious applicants continue to favour Chiswick for its thriving community feel, elegant properties and transport links including District, Piccadilly and mainline rail services. Home to a host of celebrities, the area is a firm favourite with TV presenters Ant and Dec, who are regularly spotted in the local pubs, and Suzi Perry, who lives close to the High Street. Like many Chiswick residents, Suzi has opened up her Victorian house replacing the rear of the property with glass.
Homes of this type are popular with home-searchers, and many landlords with Victorian properties extend into the side return to ensure the kitchen is flooded with natural light. A well-presented four or five-bedroom home of this type easily lets in excess of £1000 per week.
Celebrity chefs such as Rick Stein have their hand in the Chiswick pie too and Rick collaborated with Sam Harrison to bring Sam's Brassiere to Barley Mow Passage. FishWorks continues to increase in popularity near Turnham Green tube station, and Annie's is renowned for its cosy atmosphere and fantastic food.
Developers continue to invest in the area and there are floods of home-searchers after new-builds as well as character properties. The most recent developments are on Acton Lane and Chiswick High Road offering modern living (often with two bathrooms) and secure parking. Meanwhile, GWQ (Great West Quarter) to the west of Chiswick promises to be a very popular development with corporate-style accommodation. Riverside developments continue to be popular with the corporate market.
Currently on the market in Chiswick is an end-of-terrace six -bedroom house that includes a two-bedroom annex house for nanny, granny or teenage offspring. The main house has a front reception, large rear reception with wood floors, a conservatory and open plan kitchen with doors to the garden. There are two bathrooms and an en suite shower room.
The two-bedroom annexe house includes a large reception room with wood floors and open plan kitchen, and a bathroom. Turnham Green and Chiswick Park underground stations are easy walking distance.