Record-High UK Rents Outside London Hit £1,397/Month as Market Stabilises
Average advertised rents outside London rose 1.9% in Q2 2026 to £1,397 per month, a new record, though annual growth has cooled from pandemic peaks. Rightmove data shows tenants becoming increasingly price-conscious as wage growth eases.
Rental prices outside London have hit a new all-time high, rising 1.9% in the second quarter of 2026 to an average of £1,397 per calendar month, according to property portal Rightmove. Year-on-year, rents are now 2.3% higher than a year ago, up from 1.6% growth in Q1.
While rent growth has resumed after a flat start to 2026, annual increases remain well below the double-digit growth recorded during the peak rental market competition of 2022–2023. Rightmove notes that affordability remains a critical concern for renters, with annual wage growth slowing to 4.4% — significantly below rent increases — and many tenants becoming increasingly price-conscious, particularly in higher-priced regions.
What This Means for Renters
- Rents are cooling from pandemic peaks but remain elevated; expect further moderation if wage growth continues to lag
- Limited housing supply continues to support rental demand, keeping upward pressure on prices in most regions
If you're relocating to the UK or planning to rent, be prepared for higher costs outside London and check multiple regions before committing. The rental market remains tight but less frenzied than 2022–2023, giving you slightly more time to negotiate and choose.
Sources
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