UK rents climb again in April

Average rents rose for the second month in a row in April, with tenants paying £1,325 a month across the UK, according to the latest HomeLet index.

The figure was up 1.1% from £1,311 in March and 2.1% higher than the £1,298 recorded in April last year.

Outside Greater London, average rents reached £1,135, up 0.9% month on month and 1.8% above the £1,115 recorded a year earlier.

Greater London remained the most expensive market, with average rents hitting £2,128 in April, a 1.5% rise on March and 2.3% higher than April 2025.

Steady rent rises

Charlotte McGrogan, the lettings manager at Hunters, said: “We’re seeing steady rental growth rather than the sharp increases of recent years, but demand from good-quality tenants remains very strong and stock is still tight.

“Landlords are having to balance rising costs with keeping rents sustainable, so having accurate, up to date data is more important than ever when advising them.”

Northern Ireland recorded the largest monthly rise, with average rents up 2.0% to £974 and it also posted the strongest annual increase of 5.4%.

The North East saw rents rise to £710, up 1.4% on March and 4.9% year on year, while Scotland reached £977, a monthly rise of 0.6% and an annual increase of 3.7%.

In the North West, average rents climbed to £1,091, up 1.4% from March and 2.7% higher than a year earlier.

The West Midlands recorded average rents of £1,043, up 0.4% month on month and 2.6% annually.

Yorkshire and Humberside rose to £930, an increase of 1.2% on March and 2.5% on April 2025.

Regional rents rises

Wales saw average rents reach £900, up 1.1% from March and 2.0% year on year.

The East Midlands rose to £915, an increase of 0.8% month on month and 1.0% annually.

In the South East, rents were unchanged from March at £1,431 but remained 0.5% higher than the £1,424 recorded last year.

The South West posted one of the strongest monthly increases, rising 1.5% to £1,201, though annual growth was 0.4%.

The East of England rose 1.4% month on month to £1,300, leaving rents 0.1% above April 2025.