Camden's Build-to-Rent Developments Lock in Fixed Rents for Tenants

Camden Council approved three build-to-rent schemes on Arlington Road and Kentish Town Road last month that will deliver 420 purpose-built flats with rents starting at £1,850 for a one-bedroom unit.

Global tensions and the NATO summit in Turkey have pushed UK borrowing costs higher, making it harder for first-time buyers in north London to secure mortgages above £450,000. Tenants in Camden now face average asking rents that rose 7 per cent in the past year, according to Rightmove data released on 2 July. Build-to-rent blocks give residents longer leases and bundled services that traditional private landlords rarely match.

Local schemes and resident benefits

The 184-unit development at the former St Pancras Hospital site on Granary Street includes a 24-hour concierge, gym and parcel lockers. Tenants can also access the adjacent community garden managed by the Camden Community Centre. A second project on Chalk Farm Road near the Roundhouse venue offers co-working space and a residents' lounge, with rents capped for the first three years under a Camden Council planning agreement signed in March 2025.

These blocks differ from standard buy-to-let flats because operators such as Legal & General and Grainger manage them directly. Tenants receive one fixed service charge that covers broadband, building insurance and maintenance, removing the surprise bills that often appear in older converted houses on Parkway or Gloucester Crescent.

Affordability numbers and next steps

A two-bedroom flat in the new Granary Street block rents for £2,650 a month. The same size property nearby sells for £785,000, requiring a £157,000 deposit and monthly mortgage payments of £3,100 at current rates. That leaves a £450 monthly gap that many households close by staying in build-to-rent units rather than stretching for ownership.

Camden residents can check eligibility for the council's intermediate rent scheme through the housing allocations team before units are released. Applications for the first 120 flats at the Kentish Town Road site open on 15 August via the Camden Living portal. Those who qualify lock in rents 20 per cent below market for five years, giving them time to save while avoiding the uncertainty of private landlord renewals.

This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.