Types of property in London: what you can buy and how they compare

The main types of residential property in the UK are detached, semi-detached and terraced houses, bungalows, flats (including studios and conversions) and maisonettes. In London, most buyers choose between a terraced house, a flat in a converted period house, a flat in a mansion block or purpose-built block, a maisonette or a new build. The type you choose shapes your price, whether you own it freehold or leasehold, your running costs and how easy it is to sell.

This guide compares each type side by side, then links to our detailed guides. New to buying? Start with our step-by-step buying guide.

London property types at a glance

Wondering what your own home is worth, whatever its type?

Houses

Terraced and end-of-terrace houses make up much of London’s housing, especially the Victorian and Edwardian streets of inner and middle London. They are usually freehold, so you control repairs and alterations, but shared walls bring the Party Wall Act into play if you or your neighbour build an extension or loft.

Semi-detached and detached houses are more common in outer London and the suburbs. You pay more for the extra space and the side access, and there are fewer to choose from in zones 1 to 3.

Bungalows are single-storey homes, rare in inner London but common on the outer edges; they suit buyers who want to avoid stairs.

All houses come with the questions of age and build quality. Our guide to finding out when your property was built explains what each era means for damp, insulation and materials.

Flats

Most London homes for sale are flats, and almost all are leasehold or share of freehold. The building type matters as much as the flat:

• Conversion flats sit inside period houses. You often get high ceilings and your own front door, but check sound insulation and fire separation between flats.
• Mansion blocks are large Victorian and Edwardian blocks with a porter or managing agent. Rooms are generous; service charges reflect lifts, roofs and communal heating.
• Purpose-built and new-build blocks are the most energy-efficient and easiest to maintain, with service charges for shared amenities.
• Ex-local authority flats offer more space for the money, but some lenders restrict lending on certain blocks, so tell your broker early.
• Studio flats combine living, sleeping and kitchen in one room. Read our studio flat buyer’s guide before you offer: lender minimum sizes catch many buyers out.
• Maisonettes are flats over two floors, often with a private entrance. See our maisonette guide.

Whatever the building, the lease is half of what you are buying. Our guide to leasehold vs freehold in London explains share of freehold and what to check in a lease, and our freehold guide covers flying freeholds, which are common in conversions.

Older homes vs new builds

Period properties (pre-1919) have character, larger rooms and established streets, but often need more upkeep and score lower on energy efficiency. New builds come with a warranty, lower bills and less maintenance, but often sell at a premium that does not always carry over when you resell.

If you are buying an older home to let, the EPC rating matters from day one:

Which property type should you choose?

Start with your budget, then your must-haves:

• Tightest budget, central location: a studio or one-bed in an ex-local authority or purpose-built block.
• Space for the money: a maisonette or a conversion flat with share of freehold.
• Long-term family home: a terraced or end-of-terrace house in zones 2 to 4.
• Low maintenance: a new-build or recently refurbished purpose-built flat.

Check what you can borrow before you narrow it down:

First time? Our first-time buyer guide covers schemes and the first-time buyer stamp duty relief; everyone else can use the stamp duty calculator. Buying at auction can open up properties that need work, but you must complete fast and usually in cash.

Best property types to let in London

One- and two-bed flats near transport let fastest in London, and studios give the highest rent per square metre. Houses suit families and sharers but may need an HMO licence if let to three or more unrelated people. See our buy-to-let guide and property licensing guide, then check what a property would rent for:

Cozee lets and manages London property for owners at home and abroad.

Other property types

• Property with land, from large gardens to plots: see our guide to buying property with land.
• Commercial and mixed-use property, such as flats above shops: see commercial properties.
• Park homes, prefabricated homes on rented land on managed sites, are uncommon in London.

HM Land Registry uses its own property type classification for price data: detached, semi-detached, terraced, and flats or maisonettes.

Frequently asked questions

Last Updated on October 9, 2026