Flat-share supply has fallen for the first time in three years, with the number of room adverts across the UK dropping by 3.2% in the second quarter of 2026, according to SpareRoom.

The decline - ending a growth run which peaked at +24% two years ago - coincided with the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act, as the flat-sharing website warns that some landlords are selling up, reducing supply and putting upward pressure on rents.

Supply dropped by 5% in inner London where rents are steady at £979 per month, with only a small increase (+0.3%) on Q2 2025. In outer London, rents fell slightly (-0.6%) in the year to Q2 2026, as supply rose marginally (+0.9%). Renting an average room in outer London now costs £794 per month.

Average

SpareRoom reports that the average room rental in the UK now costs £761 per month, a 0.5% increase on the previous year. Across the UK, rents have risen almost 7% in the past three years.

Regionally, the largest year-on-year rent rise has been in South West England (+1.6%) but, comparing Q2 2026 with Q2 2023, it’s East Anglia that’s seen the biggest three-year increase as rents here are up 9.9%. Norwich has seen the highest increase in room rents (+5.1%) while Lincoln has seen the biggest fall (-4%).

Spiralled

The cost of living has spiralled and flat-share supply is already groaning under the weight of demand from those priced out of renting solo and homeownership, as well as serving those who’d prefer to share, according to director Matt Hutchinson.

“At the same time, the Renters’ Rights Act, while in many ways positive for tenants, has also pushed some landlords to sell up, reducing supply and forcing up rents in some areas,” he adds.

“Unless real action is taken to protect and expand rental supply, tenants will continue to face higher rents, shrinking choice, and even greater pressure in what is an already-stretched market. Flatsharing is the cheapest way to rent but the data shows it’s far from immune to market pressures.”

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