Rent increases this year have failed to keep pace with the general surge in the cost of living, but that could soon change, warns a specialist rental platform.

New market analysis from Ocasa suggests that the average rent bill in this country could reach as much as £2,270 per calendar month if prices rise in line with the hikes already being seen across other living costs.

The sharp rise in the price of energy has dominated headlines in recent months, while food inflation yesterday hit a record high of 14.7%.

The price of rent, however, has not yet matched the increasing costs seen across other areas of life. In the past year, the average cost of a month’s rent in the UK has increased by £98, rising from £1,061 per calendar month (pcm) in 2021 to £1,159pcm in 2022. This is an annual increase of 9.2%, and below the rate of inflation.

Jack Godby, sales and marketing director at Ocasa, commented: “Currently, and compared to other cost of living increases, tenants haven’t felt the squeeze quite as badly when it comes to their rental bill. However, it can only be a matter of time before this area of life also strains household finances as landlords raise rents in order to compensate for their own cost increases in both their personal and professional lives.

“Many households who are already bracing for a very harsh winter are likely to be under even more strain before Spring 2023 and we expect that the cost of renting may well be yet another household outgoing driving this financial strain.”
Table shows the annual increase in the cost of rent, energy, and groceries alongside the rise of infaltion rates. Furthermore, it shows how much rent would now cost had it increased at hte same rate at hese other living costs
Location Ave Rent pm – Sep 2021 Ave Rent pm – Sep 2022 Annual change % Annual change £ Annual energy change % Est ave Rent pm based on energy change £ Annual grocery change % Est ave Rent pm based on grocery change £ Inflation rate % Est ave Rent pm based on inflation change £
East Midlands £735 £794 8.0% £59 95.8% £1,554 13.9% £904 9.9% £873
East of England £1,021 £1,099 7.6% £78 95.8% £2,152 13.9% £1,252 9.9% £1,208
London £1,752 £1,945 11.0% £193 95.8% £3,808 13.9% £2,216 9.9% £2,138
North East £578 £609 5.4% £31 95.8% £1,192 13.9% £694 9.9% £669
North West £830 £911 9.8% £81 95.8% £1,783 13.9% £1,038 9.9% £1,001
South East £1,139 £1,237 8.6% £98 95.8% £2,422 13.9% £1,409 9.9% £1,359
South West £971 £1,083 11.5% £112 95.8% £2,120 13.9% £1,234 9.9% £1,190
West Midlands region £797 £858 7.7% £61 95.8% £1,680 13.9% £977 9.9% £943
Yorkshire and the Humber £725 £785 8.3% £60 95.8% £1,537 13.9% £894 9.9% £863
Wales £734 £794 8.2% £60 95.8% £1,554 13.9% £904 9.9% £873
Scotland £755 £862 14.2% £107 95.8% £1,688 13.9% £982 9.9% £947
Northern Ireland £705 £808 14.6% £103 95.8% £1,582 13.9% £920 9.9% £888
United Kingdom £1,061 £1,159 9.2% £98 95.8% £2,269 13.9% £1,320 9.9% £1,274