Rental inflation remained subdued across England during March, the Goodlord Rental Index reveals.

The data shows the market continues to show signs of cooling after several years of intense price increases.

The average cost of a rental property in England in March 2026 was £1,212, a 2.4% increase on prices recorded 12 months ago, when average rents stood at £1,184 per property.

The level of annual rental inflation recorded in March 2026 is significantly lower than that seen at the same time last year. In March 2025, rents were up 4.6% year-on-year.

However, Goodlord says with seismic regulatory reforms hitting the market in just a month’s time, this holding pattern could soon be disrupted.

While the nationwide picture is one of overall cooling demand, the North of England is seeing higher year-on-year rental inflation than the rest of the country.

The three regions which saw the greatest year-on-year price increases in March 2026 were Yorkshire and The Humber (6.6%), the North West (6.3%) and the North East (5.9%).

No other regions in England saw year-on-year rents rise by more than 2.8%, while the East of England (-2.6%) and the South West (-0.3%) each recorded lower prices than those seen in March 2025.

Across England, average rents continued to see limited month-on-month change. In February, the average cost of a new rental was £1,203 per month.

In March, this rose by 0.8% to £1,212, a difference of less than £10 per month.

Meanwhile, voids remained consistent at 22 days across England in March, marking no change from February.

Goodlord chief executive William Reeve says: “The latest figures will be welcomed by tenants, who continue to see wage growth outstrip rental inflation and rents rising less quickly than other consumer prices.”

“Whilst minimal month-on-month changes are to be expected at this time of year, the year-on-year figures give a clear picture of a market that has significantly cooled in recent months.”

“However, there’s a possibility that what we’re witnessing is the calm before the storm. With the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act now only a month away, we could simply be in a holding pattern before a torrent of new market forces are unlocked.”

“The new legislation could see a spike in gazundering, tenants giving notice, and landlords increasing rents. In a few months, this market picture could look very different indeed.”