UK rents continued to rise in April, with prices rising for the second consecutive month as the sector prepares for arrivals. Tenant Rights Act.
Latest data from Homelet The rental index shows the average UK rent is set to reach £1,325 in April 2026 – 1.1% higher than £1,311 in March and 2.1% higher than the £1,298 recorded in April last year.
Outside the capital, the average rent in the rest of the UK climbed to £1,135, representing a 0.9% monthly increase and a 1.8% rise compared to April 2025.
During this time, London The national average continues to be under significant upward pressure, with rents in the capital now averaging £2,128. This is an increase of 1.5% month-on-month and 2.3% higher than a year ago, reinforcing the ongoing affordability challenge facing tenants in Greater London.
Regionally, the picture is of steady but widespread growth. Rents in every part of the UK were either stable or up compared to March northern irelandThe South West, Greater London and the North West are recording the strongest monthly gains.
Looking at the annual growth, northern irelandNorth East and scotland Rental inflation is currently being seen at its fastest, with each year increasing by more than 3% year-on-year.
While rents are undoubtedly rising, the pace has been significantly more measured than the rapid increases seen in recent years. Rather than a dramatic surge, most areas are experiencing modest monthly increases – a sign that the rental market remains fragile amid tenant affordability constraints and the growing financial pressures facing landlords.
Key data from the April 2026 Homelet Rental Index
- Average UK rent: £1,325 (+1.1% MoM, +2.1% YoY)
- UK excluding Greater London: £1,135 (+0.9% MoM, +1.8% YoY)
- Greater London: £2,128 (+1.5% MoM, +2.3% YoY)
Largest monthly increase:
- Northern Ireland: +2.0%
- South West: +1.5%
- Greater London: +1.5%
- North West: +1.4%
- East of England: +1.4%
Strongest annual growth:
- Northern Ireland: +5.4% p.a.
- North east: +4.9% p.a.
- Scotland: +3.7% p.a.
April 2026 regional breakdown
| Area | April‑2026 | March‑2026 | April‑2025 | monthly wise | yearly wise |
| northern ireland | £974 | £955 | £924 | 2.0 % | 5.4 % |
| North east | £710 | £700 | £677 | 1.4 % | 4.9% |
| scotland | £977 | £971 | £942 | 0.6% | 3.7% |
| north west | £1,091 | £1,076 | £1,062 | 1.4 % | 2.7% |
| West Midlands | £1,043 | £1,039 | £1,017 | 0.4% | 2.6% |
| Yorkshire and Humberside | £930 | £919 | £907 | 1.2% | 2.5% |
| Greater London | £2,128 | £2,097 | £2,081 | 1.5% | 2.3% |
| wales | £900 | £890 | £882 | 1.1 % | 2.0% |
| East Midlands | £915 | £908 | £906 | 0.8% | 1.0% |
| south east | £1,431 | £1,431 | £1,424 | 0.0% | 0.5% |
| south west | £1,201 | £1,183 | £1,196 | 1.5% | 0.4% |
| East of England | £1,300 | £1,282 | £1,299 | 1.4 % | 0.1% |
| UK | £1,325 | £1,311 | £1,298 | 1.1 % | 2.1 % |
| UK excluding Greater London | £1,135 | £1,125 | £1,115 | 0.9% | 1.8 % |