After several months of little movement, rents have started rising again, rising for the first time in five months – although they are down 2.5% from the October peak.
The latest Homelet Rental Index shows the average UK rent is set to reach £1,311 in March 2026, up 0.8% from £1,301 in February and 1.8% more than a year earlier.
Outside London, fares increased marginally by £5 (0.4%) to £1,125, representing an annual increase of 1.6%. In the capital, prices rose more strongly, climbing 1.5% month-on-month to £2,097 after four consecutive monthly declines, and 1.7% higher than in March 2025.
Regionally, the picture is mixed but improving, with rents rising in eight areas and falling in four.
kate wenhamCCustomer Development Team Leader The Homelet and Let Alliance said: “After several months where rents either fell slightly or remained stable, March data shows a clear increase for the first time since October.
“We are still experiencing a market where tenants must remain price conscious. Affordability pressures have not subsided, but both landlords and tenants are adjusting to a new normal, with smaller, more measured rent increases rather than the sharp increases we have seen in the past.
“As of May 1stscheduled tribe Closer to the edges, the focus of agents and landlords should be on sustainable tenancy rather than pushing affordability to extremes.
Main data from march 2026 Homelet Rental Index
Average UK rent: £1,311 (+0.8% MoM, +1.8% YoY)
UK excluding Greater London: £1,125 (+0.4% MoM, +1.6% YoY)
Greater London: £2,097 (+1.5 % MoM, +1.8% YoY)
Biggest monthly change:
Greater London: +1.5%
Northern Ireland: +1.3%
South West: +1.1%
Strongest annual growth:
Northern Ireland: +4.9% YoY
Scotland: +3.6% YoY
North East: +3.2% YoY
march 2026 table: :
|
UK excluding Greater London |
Source: Homelet