Key Points
- Property portal Rightmove has named the London Borough of Havering as one of the “unhappiest” places to live in England.
- The classification comes from Rightmove’s annual Happy at Home Index, which evaluates the happiest and least happy residential areas across the country.
- Over 24,000 residents across 221 locations participated in the survey.
- Participants assessed their local areas based on criteria including access to nature and green spaces, local services, amenities, and employment opportunities.
Havering (East London Times) November 14, 2026 – The London Borough of Havering has been named one of the “unhappiest” places to live in all of England, following the release of findings from Rightmove’s annual Happy at Home Index.
Why was Havering named one of the unhappiest places to live?
The ranking stems from Rightmove’s annual Happy at Home Index, an ongoing study designed to explore both the happiest and least happy places to reside across the country. According to the published findings, Havering placed among the lowest-ranking locations in England.
To compile the index, Rightmove gathered feedback from more than 24,000 residents spanning 221 different locations. The survey asks participants to evaluate what they like about their respective areas, focusing on several core metrics of residential satisfaction.
What factors were measured in the Rightmove Happy at Home Index?
Residents taking part in the study were asked to assess their living environments based on specific everyday factors that contribute to overall community wellbeing. These criteria included:
- Access to nature and green spaces
- The quality and availability of local services
- Local amenities
- Employment opportunities within the area
By evaluating responses across these categories from the 24,000-strong sample size, the index identifies how residents feel about their local surroundings compared to the rest of the 221 surveyed locations.
What is the background of Rightmove’s Happy at Home Index?
Rightmove conducts the Happy at Home Index annually to measure resident sentiment across Britain. Rather than relying solely on property prices or housing market transaction data, the index focuses on qualitative lifestyle factors, community spirit, and local infrastructure. Over the years, the study has surveyed tens of thousands of homeowners and renters across hundreds of towns, cities, and London boroughs to track how access to green spaces, local amenities, and employment prospects influence where people feel most content living.
How could this development affect Havering residents and the local property market?
The publication of the index results may influence perceptions among prospective homebuyers, renters, and local stakeholders in Havering. For current residents, the findings highlight areas of local dissatisfaction—such as local services, amenities, or employment opportunities—which could prompt discussions among local authorities and community groups regarding future infrastructure and service improvements. For the local property market, rankings in national surveys can shape buyer sentiment, though property demand in outer London boroughs frequently remains tied to broader factors such as transport links and relative affordability compared to inner London.
