Overall, asking rents have remained stable in recent months.
A town near Glasgow has been named as the place in Scotland where rents have risen most(Image: Patrick Donovan / Getty Images)
New research has revealed the hotspots in the UK where asking rents have surged the most in recent months. While the rise of rent prices has generally slowed according to experts, there are some destinations that have seen major increases in asking rents throughout the past year.
On Thursday, April 16, Rightmove shared an index revealing that average asking rents outside of London have hit a standstill in the early months of 2026. This marks the first time since 2017 that rent prices have not risen between the end of a previous year and the start of a new one.
According to the experts, across Britain—but excluding London—the average advertised rent for homes coming onto the market showed a 0.0 per cent change between the fourth quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026. In the absence of price growth, average asking rent remained steady at £1,370 per month.
However, on the other hand, Rightmove has revealed “hotspots” in the UK that have seen asking rents surge over the past year. A total of 10 locations were singled out by the experts, with Paisley in Renfrewshire being the only Scottish destination featured on the roundup.
Paisley is a town situated north of the Gleniffer Braes and immediately west of Glasgow, straddling the banks of the White Cart Water. It is the largest town in Scotland and is home to around 80,000 people, which puts it just below the cities of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee in terms of population.
According to Rightmove, the average asking rent for a property in Paisley in March 2026 was £931. This marks a steep 14.5 per cent increase compared to the previous year, earning the town a place on the list of the areas in the UK where renters have seen prices surge the most.
Paisley was originally a quiet market town, before it was transformed into an international base for textiles and production amidst the Industrial Revolution. Today, it is a popular place to live thanks to its easy access to and from Glasgow and attractions such as Paisley Abbey and the Gleniffer Braes Country Park.
As reported by the Daily Record, Paisley was previously crowned the 2025 Town of the Year at the Scotland Loves Local Awards. The town was praised for its “resurgence”, with judges singling out its new businesses and homes, state-of-the-art high school, and the upcoming reopening of the Paisley Museum.
However, overall, more than a quarter of rental listings in the UK have seen a price reduction according to Rightmove. This marks the highest proportion the organisation has seen at this time of year since its records began in 2012, with the experts revealing that the average rental home now receives eight inquiries—down from the peak of 29 in 2022.
Lower tenant demand and a greater choice of homes is reducing competition for rental homes and upwards pressure on rents, Rightmove said. The experts also stated that affordability pressures remain for tenants, with more people likely reaching a ceiling of what they can afford.
Rightmove property expert Colleen Babcock commented: “Rents holding steady this quarter reflects how affordability remains stretched, but also how supply and demand is more balanced. With more homes available to rent and less competition between tenants, landlords are needing to position rents correctly for the current market to secure a tenant.
“As market conditions rebalance, homes are taking longer to let. The market is more price sensitive, with landlords needing to be realistic from the outset to secure a tenant and reduce the risk of void periods.”
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Head of residential at Chestertons Adam Jennings added: “Across (the first quarter of 2026), we’ve seen a clear pick-up in lettings activity, particularly towards the end of March, with a noticeable increase in viewings and agreed lets compared to earlier in the quarter.
“Well-presented, correctly priced properties are continuing to let quickly, especially in areas where supply remains constrained.”
See below for the list of the 10 property hotspots in the UK where asking rents have increased the most.
Property hotspots where asking rents have surged
- Iver, Buckinghamshire, South East, £2,893, 21.8 per cent
- Godalming, Surrey, South East, £2,341, 19.8 per cent
- Truro, Cornwall, South West, £1,494, 19.4 per cent
- Harrogate, North Yorkshire, Yorkshire and the Humber, £1,621, 18.9 per cent
- Urmston, Greater Manchester, North West, £1,600, 17.6 per cent
- Runcorn, Cheshire, North West, £1,087, 15.1 per cent
- Ascot, Berkshire, South East, £4,014, 14.9 per cent
- Warrington, Cheshire, North West, £1,321, 14.9 per cent
- Batley, West Yorkshire, Yorkshire and the Humber, £972, 14.6 per cent
- Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland, £931, 14.5 per cent
