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Renters are paying an average of 3.5 percent more for their homes compared to a year ago, according to the latest official data.
Private rents across the UK now average £1,367 as the annual growth rate dropped from 4.0 percent in the 12 months to December 2025 - the lowest growth for four years
Average rents increased to £1,423 (3.5 percent) in England, and £826 (5.8 percent) in Wales, says the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The North East continues to post the highest rent annual inflation rate of all English regions, at 8.0 percent, in the 12 months to January 2026. This annual rise was higher than the 7.9 percent posted for the 12 months to December 2025.
Annual rent inflation remained lowest in London, at 1.1 percent, in the 12 months to January, down from 2.1 percent in the year to December. London's annual inflation has slowed the most since hitting a peak in November 2024, when rents in the capital were rising at 11.5 percent.
Average UK rents were highest in London (£2,253) and lowest in the North East (£767) in January.
In January, average monthly rent was highest in Kensington and Chelsea, London (£3,640) and lowest in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland (£549). Excluding London, the city with the highest average monthly rent in January was Oxford (£1,923).
The interactive map shows average private rent and annual inflation for local authorities in England and Wales and broad rental market areas in Scotland and Northern Ireland, from January 2015 to January 2026.
Source: ONS
The average UK monthly private rent in January 2026 was highest for detached properties (£1,563) and lowest for flats and maisonettes (£1,334). Average UK private rent was highest for properties with four or more bedrooms (£2,037) and lowest for properties with one bedroom (£1,109).
The February 2026 rent report from tenant referencing firm Homelet is broadly in line with the ONS data.
Homelet puts the average UK rent at £1,301 - 0.1 percent down from January 2026 and a decrease of 2 percent over the past 12 months.
The cheapest rent is £704 a month in the North East, while the most expensive rent is an average of £2,067 a month in London.
Renters in Wales are paying £10 a month less than a month ago at £869 a month, even though rents have increased by 3.1 percent in a year.
Property portal Zoopla's March 2026 rent report argues that tenant demand is weakening with fewer inquiries, falling to 4.8 per property - the lowest number for six years.
"The weaker demand is driving a slowdown, but the market needs more supply to offer tenants long-term improvements," said the firm's Executive Director - Research Richard Donnell.