Rent rises by 7% across England and Wales – see how your area is affected

UK tenants face more financial pain as they struggle to get on the housing ladder, with average monthly private rents increasing 7.7 per cent in the year to March, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The figures show rent increases slowed from 8.1 per cent in the 12 months to February 2025, which was below the record-high rise of 9.1 per cent in March 2024.

Average rents increased to £1,386 (up 7.8 per cent) in England, £792 (up 8.9 per cent) in Wales, and £1,001 (up 5.7 per cent) in Scotland in the 12 months to January. In Northern Ireland, average rents increased to £838 (up 8.2 per cent) in the 12 months to January.

In England, private rent annual inflation was highest in the North East (9.4 per cent) and lowest in Yorkshire and The Humber (4.6 per cent) in the 12 months to March 2025.

In March 2025, the average rent was highest in Kensington and Chelsea, London (£3,639) and lowest in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland (£528). Excluding London, the area with the highest average rent in March 2025 was Elmbridge in Surrey (£1,893).

Aimee North, head of ONS housing, said: “For the first time in nearly two years, London has been replaced as the region with the highest annual rent growth. The North East had the highest inflation in the year to March, reflecting a record high annual growth rate for the region.”

The average monthly private rent in March 2025 was highest for detached properties (£1,522) and lowest for flats and maisonettes (£1,306). The average UK private rent was highest for properties with four or more bedrooms (£1,996) and lowest for properties with one bedroom (£1,079).

Nathan Emerson of the property professionals’ body Propertymark, said: “We continue to see a considerable mismatch between supply and demand with an average of 10 people wishing to rent each property currently available across the UK.

“In addition, we are seeing vast legislative changes that will affect how and if some landlords are able to continue operating within the sector. “Throughout the last twenty years, renting a property has become enormously more popular with people, and it’s vital there is targeted support and investment in the sector to keep pace with ever-intensifying demand.”

Alex Upton, mortgage expert at Hampshire Trust Bank, said: “The rental market remains under significant pressure, with demand continuing to outstrip supply. Letting agents are managing multiple applicants for every available property.

“While stock levels have seen some movement, competition remains fierce. Until that imbalance shifts, rental prices will continue to rise.”