UK rents continued their upward climb in April, with prices rising for the second consecutive month as the sector braces for the arrival of the Renters’ Rights Act.
Fresh data from the HomeLet Rental Index reveals that average UK rents reached £1,325 in April 2026 — up 1.1% from £1,311 in March and 2.1% higher than the £1,298 recorded in April last year.
Outside the capital, average rents across the rest of the UK climbed to £1,135, representing a 0.9% monthly increase and a 1.8% rise compared with April 2025.
Meanwhile, London continues to exert significant upward pressure on national averages, with rents in the capital now averaging £2,128. That’s a 1.5% increase month-on-month and 2.3% higher than a year ago, reinforcing the ongoing affordability challenge facing tenants across Greater London.
Regionally, the picture is one of steady but widespread growth. Every part of the UK recorded either stable or rising rents compared with March, with Northern Ireland, the South West, Greater London and the North West posting the strongest monthly gains.
Looking at annual growth, Northern Ireland, the North East and Scotland are currently seeing the sharpest rental inflation, each reporting year-on-year increases of more than 3%.
While rents are undoubtedly rising, the pace remains notably more measured than during the rapid surges seen in recent years. Rather than dramatic spikes, most regions are experiencing modest monthly increases — a sign that the rental market remains delicately poised between tenant affordability constraints and the mounting 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 increases:
- Northern Ireland: +2.0%
- South West: +1.5%
- Greater London: +1.5%
- North West: +1.4%
- East of England: +1.4%
Strongest annual increases:
- Northern Ireland: +5.4% YoY
- North East: +4.9% YoY
- Scotland: +3.7% YoY
April 2026 regional breakdown
| Region | April‑2026 | March‑2026 | April‑2025 | Monthly Var | Annual Var |
| 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 & 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 % |
