New data reveals continued fierce competition for rental homes as the pace of price rises is beginning to moderate.

The ONS reports that average UK monthly private rent increased by 3.3% to £1,388 in the 12 months to June - unchanged from the 12 months to May.

Average monthly rent for England was £1,446, up by 3.4% from a year earlier and unchanged in the 12 months to May (3.4%). Meanwhile, average rent in Wales was up by 4.9% to £843, which was higher than in the 12 months to May (4.7%), but lower than the most recent peak of 8.9% in March 2025. Average rent for Scotland was £1,012, up by 1.3% and higher than in the 12 months to May (1%) and the first pick up in the annual inflation rate since December 2024. In Northern Ireland it was £877 in April, up by 2.9% - lower than in the 12 months to March (3.3%) and the lowest in more than five years.

In the past 12 months, 32% of UK renters and 35% of London renters have been forced to move because their rent became unaffordable, according to SpareRoom. Its latest research shows 67% had seen their rent increase in the past 12 months; 42% had seen rents go up in their current rental and 25% faced rises when they moved into a new rental.

Strengthen

Research by The Letting Partnership found that tenant demand across England continued to strengthen during the second quarter of 2026, with 29% of all rental listings already securing a tenant. It says demand has increased by 2.3% over the quarter and now sits 0.3% higher than the same time last year.

Amy Reynolds, head of sales at estate agency Antony Roberts, says while national figures show rent growth moderating rather than the frenzied rises of 2022/23, it sees a different picture.

Distressing

“It is still distressing that a property goes live for lettings and the phone rings off the hook from people needing a home,” says Reynolds. “Unlike a sale, there’s no scope to bid over the asking rent under the new regulations, so instead landlords are simply asking higher figures from the outset - and people are still having to pay it.

“We’re seeing cases where landlords are securing lets £400 to £500pcm more than the previous year on a one or two-bedroom flat.”

The rental sector continues to face intense pressure, with about seven people approaching Propertymark member agents for every available property they have on offer, reports CEO Nathan Emerson. “Ultimately, we need to see a significant increase in the number of rental properties entering the lettings market to keep pace with growing demand and help ease overall costs for many renters,” he adds.

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