Rents soar by up to 17% since Labour’s Renters’ Rights Bill introduced

Rents across Britain have rocketed by as much as 17.4% in some regions since the Labour government introduced its Renters’ Rights Bill, research reveals.

The Bill looks set to become law this summer following its House of Lords’ Report Stage on July 1st.

Now, London-based lettings and estate agents Benham and Reeves has examined data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

It looked at average rent shifts across all local authorities in Britain between September 2024 and April 2025, the period after the Bill’s second reading.

Landlords are selling

Marc von Grundherr, a director of Benham and Reeves, said: “Landlords have faced a relentless wave of legislation in recent years, and for many, the Renters’ Rights Bill is seen as a step too far.

“While tenant protections are important, the Bill has introduced more uncertainty into an already pressured market – and that’s prompted some landlords to sell up entirely.”

He added: “Although the Bill includes provisions to keep rent increases in line with market values, those same market values are now rising sharply due to restricted supply and surging demand.

“So, while rent hikes may be capped procedurally, the real-world outcome is that tenants are still facing considerable increases – with fewer rental properties available and more people competing for them.”

Average rise was 3.9%

The research reveals a national average rent rise of 3.9%, with some areas facing significantly steeper hikes.

Newport in Wales, experienced the most dramatic surge, with monthly rents leaping from £782 to £918 – a 17.4% increase in just seven months.

Camden in London, followed with a 12.7% climb, pushing rents from £2,516 to £2,836.

Other notable spikes include Broxbourne in the east of England (12.2%), Slough in the south east (11.4%) and Gloucester in the south west (9.0%).

Substantial rent increases were also recorded in Rhondda Cynon Taf in Wales (8.8%), Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland (8.7%), Rutland in the east Midlands (8.5%) and Stoke-on-Trent in the west Midlands (8.1%).

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