Yasmin Ulhaq, founder of Glenfield Property Management
London has long been the epicentre of global wealth and residential prestige, its prime postcodes a magnet for international capital. But in 2025, that dynamic is undergoing a quiet revolution. While the capital’s top-end sales market battles economic headwinds and legislative shifts, its super-prime rental sector is soaring with elegance, discretion and undeniable momentum.
Sales values in Prime Central London (PCL) have dipped more than 20 percent from their former highs, with analysts predicting a further slide of up to 10 percent by year-end. Once fiercely competed for by international buyers, London’s most prestigious addresses are increasingly languishing on the sales market. The landscape is changing, and fast.
Several key forces are shaping this pivot. The erosion of non-dom tax privileges and a tightening of tax rules have cast a long shadow over the long-term ownership appeal for many ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs). Where once London was seen as a stable vault for global wealth, today’s investors face a more complex and less predictable financial environment.
Political volatility – most notably the lingering aftershocks of Brexit – has also reshaped the decision making process for global elites. Mobility and agility are the new currency of wealth. For many, renting offers flexibility, privacy and ease that traditional ownership simply can’t match in today’s climate.
This shift has placed London’s super-prime rental market, defined as properties commanding upwards of £10,000 per week, firmly in the spotlight. No longer a stopgap for relocating executives or buyers-in-waiting, it is now a deliberate lifestyle choice. The capital’s ultra-rich are renting on their own terms, and doing so in style.
Take, for example, 60 Curzon in Mayfair – once heralded as one of London’s most elite addresses. Despite its exceptional design and amenities, sales uptake has lagged since its launch nearly a decade ago. Yet those same residences are finding a second life as premium rentals, offering residents concierge living with the service standards of a five-star hotel, without the financial anchor of ownership.
UHNW tenants are demanding the very best: prime locations, impeccable interiors, full-service support and absolute discretion. What they don’t want is stamp duty, service charges or long-term exposure to a volatile market.
For developers and private owners holding luxury stock, this moment presents a golden opportunity. By repositioning unsold assets for rental, they not only generate substantial yields but preserve asset value in uncertain times. The key lies in offering a fully turnkey, world-class experience which includes curated furnishings, round-the-clock support and effortless service.
Looking ahead, this trend shows no signs of waning. As global uncertainty continues to rattle markets, the age of default ownership among the global elite appears to be diminishing. Today’s UHNW individuals are strategic, mobile and highly selective and they are increasingly choosing to rent the best, not buy it.
For those poised to meet this demand with tailored, high-spec rental offerings, the future is not just bright – it’s super-prime.
For more information about Glenfield Property Management, visit www.glenfieldpm.co.uk.
