Harlow: should you rent, buy, invest or live here?
The most useful local property guide in Essex — DR Rent Area Scores, rental & investment insight, schools, dining, things to do, commuting, developments and live homes across CM17, CM18, CM19.
Harlow DR Rent Area Score™
One score that combines rental demand, investment, family life, commuting, lifestyle and food.
Renting in Harlow
The Harlow rental market in Essex is active and competitive, with average rents around £1,432 pcm and rents up roughly 6.6% over the past year. Strong commuter links and local employment keep demand from tenants consistently ahead of available supply across CM17, CM18, CM19.
Rental competition
How hard tenants compete for each property type in Harlow.
- StudioVery high
- 1 bedMedium
- 2 bedHigh
- 3 bedVery high
- Family homesVery high
Average time to let
20 days
Tenant demand
High
Best for
Who tends to rent well in Harlow.
- Professionals
- Families
- Commuters
- Couples
- First-time renters
| Property type | Average rent (pcm) | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Room / HMO | £586 | £7,032 |
| 1-bed flat | £1,116 | £13,392 |
| 2-bed flat | £1,395 | £16,740 |
| 3-bed house | £1,786 | £21,432 |
| 4-bed house | £2,302 | £27,624 |
Featured properties in Harlow
Premium and featured homes listed by landlords on DR Rent across CM17, CM18, CM19.
Buying in Harlow
What buyers and first-time buyers can expect from the local sales market.
Average price
£361,000
Price growth (1yr)
+1.7%
Buyer demand
Medium
Supply
Medium
First-time buyer suitability
Reasonable for the South East
Buying snapshot
Buyers in Harlow face medium competition with prices around £361,000 and growth of about 1.7% over the last year. Reasonable for the South East.
Investing in Harlow
With an average property price near £361,000 and gross yields around 6.1%, Harlow offers landlords a balance of capital growth and rental income. Prices have moved about 1.7% in the last year, and high tenant demand helps keep void periods short.
Landlord opportunity score
7.9/10What tenants are looking for
Live DR Rent demand signal for Harlow — nobody else has this.
- 1Properties near the station
- 22 bed flats
- 3Homes with parking
- 4Pet-friendly rentals
Family living & schools in Harlow
Schools, Ofsted ratings and family facilities that drive long-term family lettings.
| School | Type | Ofsted | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harlow Primary School | Primary | Outstanding | 0.6 mi |
| St Mary's C of E Primary, Harlow | Primary | Good | 1.4 mi |
| Harlow Junior Academy | Primary | Good | 2.5 mi |
| Harlow Grammar School | Secondary | Good | 0.9 mi |
| Harlow Community College | Secondary | Good | 2 mi |
| The Harlow Academy | Secondary | Outstanding | 0.8 mi |
Family facilities
- Harlow Leisure Centre & swimming pool
- Local parks and playgrounds
- Public library
- Soft play and family cafés
- NHS GP surgeries and pharmacies
- Weekend markets and community events
Eating out in Harlow
Popular restaurants, takeaways and coffee shops with ratings and distance.
The Harlow Brasserie
1.1 mi from Harlow centre
Spice of Harlow
1.1 mi from Harlow centre
Bella Cucina
2 mi from Harlow centre
The Garden Kitchen
0.9 mi from Harlow centre
Harlow Tandoori
0.2 mi from Harlow centre
Coffee & Co, Harlow
0.5 mi from Harlow centre
Socialising in Harlow
Pubs, bars, nightlife, entertainment and shopping.
The Crown, Harlow
0.2 mi from Harlow centre
The Railway Tavern
0.4 mi from Harlow centre
Vault Bar
1.4 mi from Harlow centre
Harlow Live Lounge
1.2 mi from Harlow centre
The Riverside Inn
1.3 mi from Harlow centre
Harlow Shopping Centre
0.8 mi from Harlow centre
Things to do in Harlow
Gyms, sports clubs, cinemas, golf, walking routes and family attractions.
Harlow Sports & Fitness
2.2 mi from Harlow centre
Harlow Cricket Club
0.7 mi from Harlow centre
Parkland Golf Club
1.9 mi from Harlow centre
Harlow Cinema
1.9 mi from Harlow centre
Riverside Walking Route
1.6 mi from Harlow centre
Harlow Adventure Park
2.3 mi from Harlow centre
Commuting from Harlow
London, Heathrow, Reading and motorway connections with typical travel times.
| Destination | Mode | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| London (central) | Train | 37 min |
| London Paddington | Elizabeth Line / GWR | 30 min |
| Reading | Train | 24 min |
| Heathrow Airport | Car / bus | 25 min |
| M4 motorway | Car | 19 min |
| M25 motorway | Car | 18 min |
Local developments in Harlow
What's coming soon and how it could affect the local market.
Harlow town centre regeneration
Under construction
New residential scheme near CM17
Approved
Harlow retail & leisure quarter
Planning
New primary school provision
Proposed
Transport & station improvements
Funded
Local services in Harlow
Verified contractors covering CM17, CM18, CM19 — connected to the DR Rent marketplace.
EPC Assessors in Harlow
Accredited domestic energy assessors producing valid EPCs for rental properties.
View epc assessorsGas Engineers in Harlow
Gas Safe registered engineers issuing annual landlord gas safety records.
View gas engineersElectricians in Harlow
Registered electricians carrying out EICR inspections and remedial works.
View electriciansPlumbers in Harlow
Reliable plumbers for repairs, leaks, heating and bathroom works.
View plumbersInventory Clerks in Harlow
Independent inventory clerks producing detailed check-in and check-out reports.
View inventory clerksProperty Photographers in Harlow
Professional property photographers and floorplans to let faster.
View property photographersRenting & compliance in Harlow
The certificates and rules every local landlord must stay on top of.
EPC (Energy Performance Certificate)
Rentals in Harlow must hold a valid EPC rated E or above before marketing.
Annual gas safety (CP12)
Every gas appliance must be checked yearly by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
EICR (electrical safety)
A satisfactory electrical report is required at least every five years.
Deposit protection
Deposits must be protected in a government scheme within 30 days.
Right to Rent
Tenant immigration status must be checked before a tenancy begins.
Renters' Rights Act
New rules are reshaping how landlords let property across Essex.
More local data for Harlow
Coming soon: schools, crime, transport, planning and investment forecasts.
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