28/07/2026
Britain’s Rental Market Is No Longer Moving in One Direction
Britain’s rental market has changed considerably over the last two years, yet the headline figures reveal a far more varied picture than many might expect.
In June 2026, London remained Britain’s most expensive rental region, with an average monthly rent of £2,807. The South East followed at £1,639, with the East of England at £1,419 and the South West at £1,350.
Yet rents have not risen everywhere. Average rents in London are now 0.2% lower than in June 2024, while the South East has recorded a 0.3% fall. After years of substantial rental growth, affordability may finally be placing a ceiling on what tenants can realistically pay in these higher priced regions.
Elsewhere, the picture is very different.
The North West recorded the largest increase, rising by 11.1% to £1,229 per month. Northern Ireland increased by 9.1% to £1,019, while the North East rose by 7.7% to £933. Wales increased by 7.0%, the West Midlands by 6.1% and the East Midlands by 5.8%.
Scotland’s average rent now stands at £1,201, up 4.1%, while Yorkshire and the Humber increased by 4.7% to £989. The East of England and South West both recorded more modest growth of 2.1%.
Rents are influenced by the balance between available homes and tenant demand, but affordability remains one of the strongest indicators of their direction. Landlords cannot continually increase rents beyond what local wages and household budgets can support. The rental market is therefore becoming increasingly regional. Some areas still have room for growth, while others appear to be approaching, or may already have reached, their affordability ceiling.
If you are a Ealing landlord and would like a chat about the future direction of the local property market, drop the office a message
