UK rents have risen by almost 5% (4.9%) over the past year, according to the latest Goodlord Rent Index.
In September, average rents rose from £1,507 12 months ago to £1,581, meaning properties are costing tenants £888 more a year than in 2025.
The year-on-year price rise was steepest in Wales, where year-on-year rents rose by more than 7%.
In England, rents rose by 5.5%, while the smallest change was in Scotland, where average year-on-year rents rose by just under 3%.
Regionally, the largest increase in rents was seen in the North East, where the average cost of renting properties rose by 14%.
Average rents in the area were £878 this time last year, compared to £1,000 today, a rise of £264 a year for renters.
The only region to see a year-on-year decline in average rents was the East of England, which saw a very small year-on-year decline of 0.4%.
The index also reveals that between August and September, there was a modest month-on-month rise in the cost of rent across the UK, with rents rising by just under 1% (0.9%).
All areas tracked saw rents increase month on month, with the exception of Yorkshire and the Humber, which saw a very slight decline (-0.2%).
The region with the largest monthly increase was again the Northeast, where average rents jumped 5.6%. This was followed by the North West, which recorded a 3% rise in rents.
The average void period in September was 20 days, down slightly from the average of 21 days recorded in August.
“Overall, average rents continue to outpace inflation year-on-year – highlighting ongoing supply and demand pressures,” says Goodlord CEO William Reeve. “But the overall pace of rent growth appears to be slowing, particularly in certain areas.”
“Key factors, such as the sharp decline in net migration figures, are likely to help mitigate some of the supply-demand imbalance we have seen over recent years.”
