London’s super-prime lettings market is being fuelled by a wave of ultra-wealthy international tenants, led by Americans, Hollywood actors, affluent Chinese and Israelis, a new 2025 survey by estate agency Aston Chase reveals.
The firm, which specialises in the capital’s luxury residential market, reports that overseas renters now dominate deals at the very top end – properties letting for over £10,000 per week – with demand showing no sign of slowing.
Hollywood A-listers, drawn by long-term production deals from studios like Netflix, Amazon and Disney at Pinewood and Elstree, are renting London homes that meet high-spec demands: fully furnished, air-conditioned, gated, and with internal garages. Security and discretion are non-negotiables.
Chinese tenants, once dominant as buyers, have pivoted toward high-end rentals amid market uncertainty. Many now prefer homes with feng shui-compliant layouts such as square dining rooms and circular tables, as well as gas hobs over induction cookers.
GEOPOLITICAL TENSIONS
Meanwhile, a growing number of Israeli tenants are relocating to North West London – notably Hampstead and St John’s Wood – in response to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Proximity to family and a strong sense of community remain driving factors.
Arron Bart, Director of Lettings at Aston Chase, says: “American tenants have overtaken the Chinese as the leading overseas demographic in 2025.
“The great Trump exodus hasn’t yet materialised, but we’re certainly seeing a marked increase in demand from Americans, especially in St John’s Wood.”
And Mark Pollack, Co-Founding Director of Aston Chase, adds: “London remains a sanctuary of safety, peace and excellent education – all key draws for high-net-worth families.”
HIGH-PROFILE LETTINGS
The agency recently secured two of the capital’s most high-profile lettings. A nine-bedroom period home on Hamilton Terrace (main picture) was let at its asking price of £27,500 per week – the equivalent of £1.43 million annually.
Photo credit: Aston Chase
And A 9,000 sq. ft. home in Marylebone fetched £25,000 per week. Both deals won top honours at the LonRes Awards 2025.
Off-market activity has also surged. Notable recent lets include a £32,500/week mansion in Highgate, a £30,000/week Hampstead home and a Grade I listed house on Cornwall Terrace, opposite Regent’s Park, taken at £15,000/week. The latter boasts 8,833 sq. ft., a spa, gym and a 1,695 sq. ft. principal suite.
BILLIONAIRES’ ROW
Currently, Aston Chase is marketing multiple trophy homes on The Bishops Avenue, known as Billionaires’ Row, including Huxley House – a Georgian-style 14,530 sq. ft. mansion available at £23,000/week, complete with cinema, car lift and club lounge.
Phot Credit: Aston Chase
Despite changes to non-dom tax status and tightening fiscal policy, Aston Chase reports that many international UHNWIs continue to view Prime Central London as a secure long-term base, preferring to rent before committing to purchase.
Bart says: “These tenants are not just wealthy. They’re global, discerning, and increasingly renting to test the waters – but always at the very top end.”
TOP DEALMAKERS
Pollack adds: “I’m extremely proud of Aston Chase’s remarkable achievement scooping not one but two accolades at the LonRes Awards 2025, recognising the top dealmakers achieving the highest sales and lettings recorded on the LonRes platform between June 2024 and May 2025.
“As a boutique agency, winning both Let of the Year for North London and Let of the Year for Central London is a testament to our exceptional lettings team, whose knowledge of the Super Prime Central London rental market and ability to match the perfect property to the client, while still providing the utmost discretion, is best in class.”
HIGH GROWTH AREA
And he says: “As we approach our 40th anniversary, it gives me enormous pleasure to see how Aston Chase’s lettings and management business has exponentially grown in recent years.
“Our sales team have long been recognised as prolific sellers of high-value property throughout Central and North West London, which continues to be the case, but it’s hugely satisfying to see our firm’s recurring income increase, reflecting the current trend, in many instances, to rent in preference to purchasing, due to the huge transactional costs involved.”
