PROFESSIONALS opting to live in Oxfordshire but continue working in London are driving the luxury end of the rental market, according to an expert.

Gareth Gould, lettings manager for Summertown-based agents Kemp & Kemp, said: "A lot of the clients who come to us looking to lease a property are professionals who have moved out from London.

"These people choose to live in Oxford because they want a better lifestyle, including good schools for their children, but they want to be able to commute easily to the city, or wherever it is in the capital that they work.

"They know they can get much more for their money out here and that is what is driving the top end of the lettings market."

Mr Gould said professionals were looking to rent larger properties but only those that had a top-quality specification.

He explained: "Three and four-bedroom houses are particularly popular with our clients, but we have also seen a big surge in demand for luxury apartments.

"Penthouses in particular are going well. We let one very quickly in Thame recently that was finished to an extremely high standard. Properties of about 3,000 sq ft are doing well and for that clients are prepared to pay a premium."

Highest demand in terms of location, according to Mr Gould, is for properties within the Oxford ring road, although Bicester, Abingdon, Thame and other areas, such as Frilford Heath, are also popular.

Mr Gould added: "Many other ofour recent tenants have relocated to Oxford because their jobs are based here and we currently need more top-quality stock to meet the demand of professionals who are looking to rent now in Oxford.

"The market is moving very quickly and our average void is only around two weeks or less at the moment."

An example of the type of property that appeals to professionals is a recently-built house at Mary Price Close, Harberton Mead, Headington, according to Mr Gould.

Set over three floors, it has three reception rooms, four bedrooms, a small rear garden, two parking spaces at the front and is available to rent, unfurnished, for £1,950 per month.

For more information, contact Kemp & Kemp on 01865 510000 or visit kempandkemp.co.uk