UK rents have risen by almost 5% (4.9%) over the last year, the latest Goodlord Rental Index.

In September, average rents were up from £1,507 12 months ago, to £1,581, which means properties are costing tenants £888 more per year compared to 2025.

The rise in year-on-year prices was felt most acutely in Wales, where year-on-year rents rose by over 7%.

In England, rents were up by 5.5%, while the smallest change was in Scotland, where year-on-year rental averages were up by just under 3%.

At a regional level, the largest increase in rents was seen in the North East, where the average cost of a rental property has soared by 14%.

Rental averages in the region were £878 this time last year, compared to £1,000 today, a spike of £264 per year for tenants.

The only area to see a year-on-year decrease in rental averages was the East of England, which saw a very small year-on-year reduction of 0.4%.

The index also reveals that between August and September, there was a modest month-on-month rise in the cost of rent across the whole of the UK, with rents rising by just under 1% (0.9%).

All regions tracked saw an increase in rents month-on-month, with the exception of Yorkshire and the Humber, which saw a very small dip (-0.2%).

The region with the biggest month-on-month increase was again the North East, where rental averages jumped by 5.6%. This was followed by the North West, which tracked a 3% rise in rents.

The average void period in September was 20 days, down slightly on the 21 day average recorded in August.

Goodlord chief executive William Reeve says: “Overall, rental averages continue to outstrip inflation year-on-year – highlighting the ongoing supply and demand pressures. But the overall pace of rent growth does appear to be slowing, particularly in certain regions.”

“Key factors, such as the sharp drop in net migration figures, are likely to be helping ease some of the supply/demand imbalance we’ve seen over recent years.”