This is down from 7.7% in the 12 months to March, and is below the record-high annual rise of 9.1% in March 2024. 

However, current annual rental growth is more than double today’s 3.5% headline inflation rate. 

Across the nation, average rents increased to 7.5% to £1,390 in England, 8.7% to £795 in Wales, and 5.1% to £999 in Scotland, in the period. 

In Northern Ireland, average rents rose 7.8% to £843 in the 12 months to February. 

In England, private annual inflation rent was highest in the North East, at 9.4%, and lowest was in Yorkshire and The Humber, at 4%, in the period. 

London’s annual inflation was 8.4%, down from 9.1% in the year to March. 

Across the UK, average rent was highest in London, at £2,246, and lowest in the North East, at £728, last month. 

Hampshire Trust Bank managing director – specialist mortgages & bridging Alex Upton says: “Rents continue to rise, and the reason why is clear. We still do not have enough homes to meet demand.  

“Propertymark data shows an increase in available stock, but it is not enough to keep pace with tenant enquiries. That level of competition means pricing pressure remains firmly upward. 

“There is a risk that the imbalance becomes even more severe in the months ahead. The Renters’ Rights Bill may prove to be the final straw for some smaller landlords, particularly those for whom property is not a full-time focus. 

“Despite the uncertainty, many landlords are taking action. We are seeing more investors rebalancing their portfolios, focusing on properties that can deliver strong tenant appeal and long-term performance in a changing regulatory landscape.” 

Propertymark chief executive Nathan Emerson adds: “Overwhelming demand within the rental sector continues to influence price increases for those who rent. We continue to witness, on average, around ten applicants for every property available to rent and this is a situation that has broadly remained stagnated across the last five years. 

“It is imperative that rental supply rises to meet the challenges of demand, especially as the UK population is estimated to further grow to within the region of 70 million people across the next five years.  

“It is important to have a clear-cut plan to meet future rental demand, especially when you consider the continued growth in the number of people renting across the last decade alone.” 

Jeremy Leaf, north London estate agent and a former Rics residential chairman, points out: “We were not surprised to see the increase in average monthly rents slowing in April compared with March as in our offices we have noticed affordability is clearly increasingly stretched for many tenants, particularly those seeking smaller one- and two-bedroom properties.  

“As the Renters’ Rights Bill comes closer to reaching the statute book, landlords remaining in the sector are increasingly having to show more flexibility if they are to avoid the dreaded outcome of a property remaining empty for more than a few weeks.”