Average rents across the UK continued to edge upwards in April, marking the second consecutive month of increases. According to the latest data from the HomeLet index, tenants are now paying around £1,325 per month on average.
This represents a 1.1% rise compared with March, when rents stood at £1,311, and a 2.1% increase compared with April last year. While the increases are relatively modest, they point to continued pressure in the rental market as demand remains strong and supply tight in many areas.
London continues to lead on rental costs
The data shows a clear divide between London and the rest of the country. Outside the capital, average rents reached £1,135 in April, reflecting a 0.9% monthly rise and a 1.8% increase year on year.
However, Greater London remains by far the most expensive region. Average rents in the capital climbed to £2,128 in April, up 1.5% on the previous month and 2.3% higher than the same time last year. This highlights the ongoing affordability gap between London and other UK regions.
Growth is steady rather than dramatic
Overall, the rental market appears to be experiencing more controlled growth rather than the sharp jumps seen in previous years. Industry voices suggest that while rents are still rising, the pace has become more stable.
Charlotte McGrogan, lettings manager at Hunters, noted that demand for good-quality tenants remains strong, but the lack of available rental stock is continuing to support pricing levels.
She also highlighted the challenge for landlords, who are balancing rising costs with the need to keep rents affordable. This makes reliable, up-to-date market data increasingly important when setting rental prices and making investment decisions.
Regional differences across the UK
Rental growth varies significantly across different parts of the UK, with some regions seeing stronger increases than others.
Northern Ireland recorded the highest monthly rise, with average rents increasing by 2.0% to £974. It also saw the strongest annual growth at 5.4%, indicating continued upward pressure in the local market.
In the North East England, rents rose to £710, up 1.4% on the month and 4.9% year on year. Meanwhile, Scotland recorded a smaller monthly increase of 0.6%, taking average rents to £977, although annual growth remained solid at 3.7%.
The North West England also saw steady growth, with rents reaching £1,091, up 1.4% month on month and 2.7% annually. In the West Midlands, rents rose slightly to £1,043, reflecting a 0.4% monthly increase and 2.6% annual growth.
Further south, Yorkshire and the Humber saw rents climb to £930, up 1.2% from March and 2.5% compared with April last year.
Mixed performance in southern regions
In Wales, average rents reached £900, rising 1.1% month on month and 2.0% annually. The East Midlands recorded more modest growth at £915, up 0.8% on the month and 1.0% year on year.
The South East England remained unchanged from March at £1,431, although rents are still slightly higher than last year. In contrast, the South West England saw a stronger monthly increase of 1.5%, bringing average rents to £1,201.
The East of England also recorded growth, with rents rising 1.4% month on month to £1,300, although annual increases remain very small.
Overall outlook
Taken as a whole, the latest figures suggest the UK rental market is still moving upwards, but at a more measured pace than in previous years. Growth is uneven across regions, with some areas continuing to experience stronger demand than others.
While affordability pressures remain, the data points to a market that is stabilising rather than accelerating sharply. However, with supply still tight in many locations, upward pressure on rents is likely to remain in the short term.
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