Tenants in the UK are experiencing slower rental growth, meaning a smaller share of the average household income is required to pay the rent.
The average UK rent grew by 1.9% over the 12 months ending March 2026, compared with 2.8% in the previous year.
The Rental Market Report from the property website Zoopla reveals that in March 2026, demand for rented homes was 14% lower than over the previous six years. The main causes were less migration and more people buying rather than renting.
The average UK rent is £1,435 a month, but there are significant regional differences. Though London has the UK’s most expensive rents, at an average of £2,193 a month, this has declined by 1.5%. In Scotland, rents have risen by 4.95% to an average monthly rate of £1,123. Rents have increased by 4.5% in Wales.
In the North West, rents are 1.9% higher than the previous year. The most affordable place to rent a home is Northern Ireland, where rents have declined by 5.9% to an average monthly cost of £998.
The newly implemented Renters’ Rights Act, which gives tenants more rights, is forecast to lead to higher rents and fewer rental properties available, as some landlords sell their homes. However, experts say that the full effect of the act has not yet been felt.
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