UK rental prices continued their upward trend in April, with average rents rising for the second consecutive month. According to the latest HomeLet index, tenants across the UK are now paying an average of £1,325 per month, reflecting steady growth amid ongoing demand and supply constraints.
National rent increases
The average rent in April was £1,325, marking a 1.1% increase from £1,311 in March and a 2.1% rise compared to £1,298 in April last year. Outside Greater London, rents averaged £1,135, up 0.9% month on month and 1.8% higher than the same period in 2025.
Greater London remains the most expensive rental market, with average rents reaching £2,128 in April. This represents a 1.5% increase from March and a 2.3% rise year on year, underscoring the capital’s continued premium rental costs.
Regional variations in rent growth
Northern Ireland experienced the largest monthly increase, with average rents rising by 2.0% to £974. It also posted the strongest annual growth, up 5.4% compared to April 2025. The North East saw rents climb to £710, a 1.4% monthly rise and 4.9% year-on-year increase.
Scotland recorded a 0.6% monthly increase to £977, with rents 3.7% higher than a year ago. The North West followed with rents at £1,091, up 1.4% from March and 2.7% annually. The West Midlands averaged £1,043, rising 0.4% month on month and 2.6% year on year.
Yorkshire and Humberside saw rents increase by 1.2% to £930, representing a 2.5% rise compared to April 2025. Wales recorded rents of £900, up 1.1% from March and 2.0% year on year, while the East Midlands rose 0.8% monthly to £915, a 1.0% annual increase.
The South East remained stable at £1,431, unchanged from March but still 0.5% higher than the previous year. The South West posted one of the strongest monthly rises at 1.5%, reaching £1,201, though annual growth was modest at 0.4%. The East of England saw rents increase 1.4% month on month to £1,300, just 0.1% above April 2025 levels.
Steady rental growth amid strong demand
Charlotte McGrogan, lettings manager at Hunters, commented on the current market dynamics: “We’re seeing steady rental growth rather than the sharp increases of recent years, but demand from good-quality tenants remains very strong and stock is still tight.”
She added, “Landlords are having to balance rising costs with keeping rents sustainable, so having accurate, up to date data is more important than ever when advising them.” This highlights the ongoing challenge for landlords to manage expenses while maintaining competitive rental levels in a market with limited supply.
What this means for landlords
The continued rent rises, albeit steady rather than sharp, suggest a resilient rental market with strong tenant demand. Landlords should be mindful of balancing rental increases with tenant affordability to ensure sustained occupancy. Access to reliable market data is crucial for making informed decisions on rent setting and property management strategies.
Regional variations indicate opportunities for landlords to assess local market conditions carefully. Areas such as Northern Ireland and the North East are seeing more pronounced growth, which may influence investment and portfolio management decisions. Meanwhile, the stability in regions like the South East suggests a more cautious approach may be warranted there.
Source: Based on reporting from Property118
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Source: www.property118.com
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