UK rents reach another record high according to the latest HomeLet Rental Index.
It shows that the average monthly rent across the UK rose to £1,387 in September 2026, up 0.4% from £1,382 in August.
Compared with September 2025, when the average was £1,343, this represents an annual increase of 3.3%.
Excluding Greater London, the average rent for the rest of the country fell slightly to £1,176, down 0.3% since August, but remained 3.1% higher than in September 2025.
Greater London remains the UK’s most expensive rental market, with average rents now at £2,272 – 1.5% higher than last month and 3.3% up on a year ago.
Regional trends were mixed in September, with four of the twelve regions recording month-on-month increases and eight seeing rents fall.
Northern Ireland recorded the largest monthly rise at 2.2%, followed by Greater London at 1.5% and Yorkshire & Humberside at 1.0%.
Northern Ireland and the South West jointly recorded the strongest annual growth, both at 5.4%, followed by Scotland at 4.9%.
Wales was the only region where average rents were lower than a year ago, falling by 0.4%.
Despite monthly declines across much of the country, affordability remains under pressure. Tenants across the UK now spend an average of 32.1% of their income on rent. In Northern Ireland, that proportion reaches 40%, while in London it stands at 38%.
Jo Dickens, Head of Business Development, comments: “Rents have hit another record high, but are tenants’ incomes really keeping up?
“The pace of growth varies considerably by region. Rents in Northern Ireland and the South West are up more than 5% year on year, while annual increases in the West Midlands and South East are below 2%.
“A slower rise in local rents doesn’t necessarily mean applicants are finding properties easier to afford. That’s why referencing really needs to look beyond salary to build a fuller picture of affordability.
“We need to consider whether someone can meet their credit commitments, pay their rent and still afford to live and pay their bills.”
Key Data from the latest HomeLet Rental Index
Average UK rent: £1,387 (+0.4% month on month; +3.3% year on year).
UK excluding Greater London: £1,176 (-0.3% month on month; +3.1% year on year).
Greater London: £2,272 (+1.5% month on month; +3.3% year on year).
Largest monthly changes:
Northern Ireland: +2.2%.
Greater London: +1.5%.
Yorkshire & Humberside: +1.0%.
Strongest annual increases:
Northern Ireland: +5.4%.
South West: +5.4%.
Scotland: +4.9%.
