The latest rental market figures point to an increasingly fragmented picture across the UK, with some regions continuing to see strong rental growth while others move into decline, according to the latest data provided by Propertymark.
Scotland recorded one of the strongest monthly increases, with average rents rising from £1,123 to £1,167 – a 3.9% monthly jump that underlines continued pressure on supply and tenant demand north of the border.
Northern Ireland also saw notable growth, with average rents increasing by 3.7% from £887 to £920 per month. However, the average salary required to meet affordability thresholds fell by 2.4% year-on-year to £27,600, suggesting affordability pressures may be easing slightly despite higher rents.
Meanwhile, London saw rents rebound after a recent slowdown, with average monthly rents rising 3% from £2,193 to £2,259.
In contrast, several regions recorded falling rents, reinforcing signs of a market correction in parts of the country. Average rents declined by 3.4% in Wales, while the North East and North West saw monthly falls of 3% and 2.6% respectively.
The report tracks agreed rental prices alongside estimated salary requirements used by referencing agencies to assess affordability, providing a snapshot of how rental costs are moving relative to income levels across different parts of the UK.
April 2026:
| Location | Average rental price | Representative average annual salary needed to secure the average-priced home (before tax and any deductions) |
| Scotland | £1,167 | £35,010 |
| Northern Ireland | £920 | £27,600 |
| Wales | £1,009 | £30,270 |
| East Midlands | £987 | £29,610 |
| East of England | £1,348 | £40,440 |
| London (inner and outer London) | £2,259 | £67,770 |
| North East | £836 | £25,080 |
| North West | £1,061 | £31,830 |
| South East | £1,482 | £44,460 |
| South West | £1,284 | £38,520 |
| West Midlands | £1,033 | £30,990 |
| Yorkshire and Humberside | £950 | £28,500 |
April 2025 (for comparison):
| Location | Average rental price | Representative average annual salary needed to secure the average-priced home (before tax and any deductions) |
| Scotland | £1,154 | £34,620 |
| Northern Ireland | £943 | £28,290 |
| Wales | £999 | £29,970 |
| East Midlands | £979 | £29,370 |
| East of England | £1,329 | £39,870 |
| London (inner and outer London) | £2,247 | £67,410 |
| North East | £876 | £26,280 |
| North West | £1,072 | £32,160 |
| South East | £1,505 | £45,150 |
| South West | £1,266 | £37,980 |
| West Midlands | £1,045 | £31,350 |
| Yorkshire and Humberside | £927 | £27,810 |
Change seen in the average salary required year-on-year:
| Location | April 2025 – typical annual salary needed to secure a home (before tax and deductions) | April 2026 – typical annual salary needed to secure a home (before tax and deductions) | % change in salary needed |
| Scotland | £34,620 | £35,010 | +1.1% |
| Northern Ireland | £28,290 | £27,600 | −2.4% |
| Wales | £29,970 | £30,270 | +1% |
| East Midlands | £29,370 | £29,610 | +0.8% |
| East of England | £39,870 | £40,440 | +1.4% |
| London (inner and outer London) | £67,410 | £67,770 | +0.5% |
| North East | £26,280 | £25,080 | −4.6% |
| North West | £32,160 | £31,830 | −1% |
| South East | £45,150 | £44,460 | −1.5% |
| South West | £37,980 | £38,520 | +1.4% |
| West Midlands | £31,350 | £30,990 | −1.2% |
| Yorkshire and Humberside | £27,810 | £28,500 | +2.5% |
Average monthly rental price month-on-month comparison (March 2026 – April 2026):
| Location | Average monthly rental price – March 2026 | Average monthly rental price – April 2026 | Percentage change (difference from March to April) |
| Scotland | £1,123 | £1,167 | +3.9% |
| Northern Ireland | £887 | £920 | +3.7% |
| Wales | £1,044 | £1,009 | −3.4% |
| East Midlands | £979 | £987 | +0.8% |
| East of England | £1,328 | £1,348 | +1.5% |
| London (inner and outer London) | £2193 | £2,259 | +3% |
| North East | £862 | £836 | −3% |
| North West | £1,089 | £1,061 | −2.6% |
| South East | £1495 | £1,482 | −0.9% |
| South West | £1309 | £1,284 | −1.9% |
| West Midlands | £1,040 | £1,033 | −0.7% |
| Yorkshire and Humberside | £945 | £950 | +0.5% |
Megan Eighteen, president of ARLA Propertymark, commented: “The latest figures continue to show a highly regionalised rental market, with some areas experiencing noticeable monthly growth while others are seeing mild corrections. This divergence reflects ongoing imbalances between supply and demand across different parts of the UK, rather than a uniform national trend.
“While rental inflation has generally moderated compared with previous peaks, the most recent data highlights that conditions remain mixed, with continued pressure in higher-demand locations such as London and Scotland, alongside softer or declining rents in parts of Wales and northern England.
“Looking ahead, the market remains sensitive to broader economic conditions and evolving regulatory changes. With the Renters’ Rights Act commencing across England in May 2026, the sector will also be entering a period of transition as landlords and letting agents adapt to the new legislative framework. How this interacts with existing affordability pressures and supply dynamics will be an important factor to monitor over the coming months.
“Overall, affordability remains a key constraint for many households, and the direction of rents is likely to continue varying significantly by region rather than moving in a single national pattern.”
