Commuter chaos helped drive record demand for one bedroom properties in London in January, a trend which is expected to continue in the coming months, according to estate agent Marsh & Parsons. Increasing numbers of commuters - frustrated at journeys to work disrupted by bad weather and unreliable train operators – are seeking a pied-à-terre in the capital.

Peter Rollings, managing director of Marsh & Parsons, commented: “It could be the freezing conditions, a malaise with slogging in from the country on unreliable trains or just a desire to get off the commuting wheel, but we have seen a sharp rise in the number of people seeking one bedroom flats in central London.

"Invariably the wish list is for easy-to-maintain, lock-up and leave apartments that are very close to good transport links. People seeking a pied-a-terre want somewhere to sleep and heat up a ready meal, so entertaining space and large kitchens are usually irrelevant.

"One bed flats on third or fourth floors that are not served by lifts are good value but it can be a trek with shopping and suitcases. We have flats for sale to suit all budgets, from about £300,000 for junior execs to chairman’s pads with impeccable finishes and in prestigious part of London."

According to the Office of Rail Regulation 10% of all trains in the UK ran late in 2008-2009. In London and the South East the performance was marginally better with about 9% of trains running behind schedule.

Peter Rollings commented: "A so-called on-time train means that it arrives up to 10 minutes late! These historic figures will be hugely effected by the bad weather in December 2009 and January this year and perhaps business people have become fed-up arriving late for meetings when the rely on the train service which is fragile to say the least."

Marsh & Parsons has assembled a selection of one-bedroom London crash pads for sale:

Chairman's Budget
Location: South Kensington (SW7)
Price: £1,295,000
Price per square foot: £1,402
Nearest Tube Station: Notting Hill Gate
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Director’s Budget
Location: Kensington (W8)
Price: £725,000
Price per square foot: £1,371
Nearest Tube Station: Notting Hill Gate
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Senior Manager’s Budget
Location: Holland Park (W11)
Price: £575,000
Price per square foot: £1,065
Nearest Tube Station: Holland Park
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Middle Manager’s Budget
Location: Clapham (SW4)
Price: £330,000
Price per square foot: £617
Nearest Tube Station: Clapham South
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-ENDS -

For further information please contact:

The Wriglesworth Consultancy Tom Urpeth / James Staunton 0207 427 1400

 

Marsh & Parsons has been part of the London property scene since 1856. The sales and lettings agent has 15 offices situated in prime positions across central, west and south London. They have an intimate and extensive knowledge of the area.

Marsh & Parsons are an independent and professional firm with a 'can-do' attitude covering all aspects of residential property. They aim to establish individual relationships with clients through a business built on energy, agility, professionalism and knowledge. Their business aim is to be the agent who not only understands the local area around their offices better than any other agent, but also to be at the heart of the community.