The average UK monthly private rent increased by 3.3%, to £1,388, in the 12 months to June, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals.
Data found that annual growth rate remained unchanged from the 12 months to May 2026.
Average rents increased by 3.4% to £1,446 in England, by 4.9% to £843 in Wales, and by 1.3% to £1,012 in Scotland, in the 12 months to June.
In Northern Ireland, average rents have risen by 2.9% to £877 in the 12 months to April.
In England, private rent annual inflation was highest in the North East at 6.3%, and lowest in London at 2.2% over the last 12 months.
Data also found that average UK house prices increased by 2.7%, to £271,000, in the 12 months to May.
The annual growth rate is down from 3.9% in the 12 months to April.
The ONS says slowing of the UK house price annual inflation rate was caused by a base effect from a small monthly price rise in May 2026 and a large monthly rise in May 2025, following the April 2025 Stamp Duty Land Tax changes in England and Northern Ireland.
Average house prices have gone up by 2.3% to £292,000 in England, by 4.2% to £215,000 in Wales, and by 4.4% to £196,000 in Scotland, in the 12 months to May 2026.
All figures are provisional estimates.
Saffron for Intermediaries national sales manager Lee Williams says: “June’s figures suggest the housing market continued to show resilience despite a backdrop of economic and political transition.”
“With Andy Burnham entering office this week Prime Minister, the market will inevitably be watching how the new government approaches housing and the wider economy.”
“While affordability remains a challenge, demand has held up well, supported by continued competition between lenders and a steady flow of buyers. With housing supply still constrained in many parts of the country, upward pressure on prices has persisted.”
“Attention will now turn to next week’s Bank of England interest rate decision and what it means for borrower confidence in the months ahead.”
Meanwhile, Zoopla executive director Richard Donnell comments: “Political change, the World Cup, a scorching summer and elevated mortgage rates have hit housing market activity this summer.”
“Zoopla‘s very latest data shows 20% fewer buyer enquiries than a year ago and 7% fewer sales agreed. This comes as annual house price growth in the ONS index has already slowed to 2.7% in the 12 months to May. We expect activity to pick up in the autumn as the outlook becomes clearer.”
Commenting on the rental figures, former RICS residential chairman Jeremy Leaf adds: “Rental market activity has remained surprisingly robust. Solid rental levels continue to be supported by lack of supply prompted in part by landlords selling up – albeit in smaller numbers – due to tax and regulatory concerns.”
“In our offices, we have noticed a fair number of existing landlords playing a wait-and-see game to see whether rents increase sufficiently to justify remaining in the sector. Demand remains solid but better-quality tenants are in shorter supply.”
“Of more concern is the lack of new, younger breed or even larger scale, build to rent landlords ready to take their place.”
All figures are provisional estimates.
Saffron for Intermediaries national sales manager Lee Williams says: “June’s figures suggest the housing market continued to show resilience despite a backdrop of economic and political transition.”
“With Andy Burnham entering office this week Prime Minister, the market will inevitably be watching how the new government approaches housing and the wider economy.”
“While affordability remains a challenge, demand has held up well, supported by continued competition between lenders and a steady flow of buyers. With housing supply still constrained in many parts of the country, upward pressure on prices has persisted.”
“Attention will now turn to next week’s Bank of England interest rate decision and what it means for borrower confidence in the months ahead.”
Meanwhile, Zoopla executive director Richard Donnell comments: “Political change, the World Cup, a scorching summer and elevated mortgage rates have hit housing market activity this summer.”
“Zoopla‘s very latest data shows 20% fewer buyer enquiries than a year ago and 7% fewer sales agreed. This comes as annual house price growth in the ONS index has already slowed to 2.7% in the 12 months to May. We expect activity to pick up in the autumn as the outlook becomes clearer.”
Commenting on the rental figures, former RICS residential chairman Jeremy Leaf adds: “Rental market activity has remained surprisingly robust. Solid rental levels continue to be supported by lack of supply prompted in part by landlords selling up – albeit in smaller numbers – due to tax and regulatory concerns.”
“In our offices, we have noticed a fair number of existing landlords playing a wait-and-see game to see whether rents increase sufficiently to justify remaining in the sector. Demand remains solid but better-quality tenants are in shorter supply.”
“Of more concern is the lack of new, younger breed or even larger scale, build to rent landlords ready to take their place.”
