TL;DR
- Average private rent in Great Britain: 1,362 pounds per month in March 2026 (ONS IPHRP).
- London average: 2,207 pounds per month. England ex-London: 1,232 pounds per month.
- Annual rent growth: 7.7% in the 12 months to March 2026.
- Scotland average: 1,025 pounds per month. Wales: 849 pounds per month.
- Renters Rights Act 2025 limits rent increases to once per year via Section 13 from 1 May 2026.
Key Facts
Average Rent UK 2026
Average private rents in Great Britain reached 1,362 pounds per month in March 2026, according to the ONS Index of Private Housing Rental Prices (IPHRP). This represents a 7.7% increase on March 2025, continuing a period of sustained above-inflation rent growth. London remains by far the most expensive market at 2,207 pounds per month. Excluding London, average rents across England were 1,232 pounds per month. Scotland averaged 1,025 pounds per month and Wales 849 pounds per month.
Average Rent by Region
The South East is the second most expensive region at approximately 1,400 pounds per month. The East of England averages around 1,280 pounds per month. The South West around 1,150 pounds per month. The East and West Midlands average 900 to 950 pounds per month. Yorkshire and the Humber averages around 820 pounds per month. The North West around 890 pounds per month. The North East is the most affordable region in England at around 700 pounds per month across all property sizes.
Within every region, rents in the largest city are substantially above the regional average. Rents in Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, and Bristol are typically 30% to 60% above the regional mean for their surrounding areas.
Average Rent by Property Type
One-bedroom properties nationally averaged approximately 1,050 pounds per month in early 2026. Two-bedroom properties, the most common rental size, averaged approximately 1,300 pounds per month. Three-bedroom properties averaged approximately 1,550 pounds per month. Four or more bedroom properties command significantly more, particularly in London and the South East.
Rent Growth Since 2020
Private rents in Great Britain increased by approximately 35% in the five years to March 2026, well above consumer price inflation. The acceleration from 2022 was driven by tight rental supply as landlord numbers fell in response to mortgage interest tax relief changes, stamp duty surcharges on additional dwellings, and the growing regulatory burden. Combined with elevated demand from prospective buyers priced out of home ownership by high house prices and mortgage rates, this structural imbalance is the primary driver of sustained above-inflation rent growth.
The Renters Rights Act and Future Rent Growth
The Renters Rights Act 2025, live from 1 May 2026, limits rent increases to once every 12 months. All increases must use the Section 13 notice process with at least 2 months written notice. Tenants can challenge above-market increases at the First-tier Tribunal, which sets the market rent and caps increases at that level. The tribunal cannot set a rent higher than the landlord proposed and cannot backdate the increase.
The rules do not cap initial rents on new tenancies. Landlords can set the starting rent at whatever level the market supports. Some analysts expect that restrictions on in-tenancy increases may lead landlords in high-demand areas to set higher initial rents to reflect the limited ability to increase during the tenancy.
Rent Affordability
As a proportion of median take-home pay, private rents account for approximately 35% of take-home income nationally and over 55% in London. The standard 30% housing cost affordability threshold is breached for the median renter in most urban areas of England. Local Housing Allowance rates, which cap housing benefit for private renters, have not kept pace with market rent growth in most areas, leaving many benefit recipients with a shortfall between their LHA entitlement and the actual market rent they pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average rent in the UK in 2026?
1,362 pounds per month in Great Britain as of March 2026, according to the ONS. London averaged 2,207 pounds per month. England excluding London averaged 1,232 pounds per month.
How much have rents increased in 2026?
7.7% in the 12 months to March 2026, according to ONS data.
What is the cheapest place to rent in the UK?
The North East of England has the lowest average rents of any English region, approximately 700 pounds per month. Wales averages 849 pounds per month. Within any region, smaller towns and rural areas have lower rents than city centres.
Can my landlord increase my rent more than once a year?
No. Under the Renters Rights Act 2025, private landlords in England can only increase rent once every 12 months via a Section 13 notice with at least 2 months written notice. You can challenge an above-market increase at the First-tier Tribunal before the effective date.
