England’s rents rise 2.4% ahead of reform

Rents in England rose 2.4% year-on-year in March, while monthly increases remained limited as the market moves towards Renters’ Rights Act implementation.

The latest Goodlord Rental Index puts average rents at £1,212 in March, up from £1,184 a year earlier.

That annual rise, which reflects agreed rents, is higher than February’s 2%, but still well below the 4.6% recorded in March 2025.

Average rents increased by 0.8% between February and March, from £1,203 to £1,212, a shift of less than £10.

Good rent news for tenants

The firm’s chief executive, William Reeve, said: “The latest figures will be welcomed by tenants, who continue to see wage growth outstrip rental inflation and rents rising less quickly than other consumer prices.

“Whilst minimal month-on-month changes are to be expected at this time of year, the year-on-year figures give a clear picture of a market that has significantly cooled in recent months.”

He added: “However, there’s a possibility that what we’re witnessing is the calm before the storm.

“With the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act now only a month away, we could simply be in a holding pattern before a torrent of new market forces are unlocked.

“The new legislation could see a spike in gazundering, tenants giving notice, and landlords increasing rents.

“In a few months, this market picture could look very different indeed.”

Strong northern rent growth

Annual increases continued to sit below wider inflation measures with the Consumer Price Inflation (CPI) was 3.2% in February, while wage growth reached 3.9% in March.

In the regions, stronger annual growth remained concentrated in the North.

Yorkshire and the Humber recorded a 6.6% increase, followed by the North West at 6.3% and the North East at 5.9%.

Elsewhere, rises were limited and no other region exceeded 2.8%.

The East of England saw rents fall by 2.6% and the South West by 0.3% compared with March 2025.

Rents fell in some areas

However, monthly figures in the North West saw average rents fall from £1,096 in February to £1,066 in March.

That’s a 2.7% drop following a 4% increase the previous month.

By contrast, Yorkshire and the Humber recorded the largest monthly rise, with rents increasing 3.2% from £930 to £959.

Voids were unchanged nationally at 22 days in March.

The North East saw voids lengthen from 23 to 26 days, while the South West moved from 18 to 21 days.

In the East of England, voids stood at 16 days.