Sammie Ellard-King
I’m Sammie, a money expert and business owner passionate about helping you take control of your wallet. My mission with Up the Gains is to create a safe space to help improve your finances, cut your costs and make you feel good while doing it.
The average UK monthly private rent is now £1,367, up 3.5% in the 12 months to January 2026, according to new ONS data released February 18th.
While rents are still rising, the pace is actually slowing. This is the lowest annual inflation rate since March 2022, down from 4.0% the previous month.
But there’s a massive regional divide in who’s being hit hardest.
Wales and North East Worst Hit
England: Average rent £1,423 (up 3.5%)
Wales: Average rent £826 (up 5.8% – the sharpest rise)
Scotland: Average rent £1,021 (up 2.6%)
Northern Ireland: Average rent £875 (up 5.6%, though data only goes to November 2025)
Wales is seeing the biggest rent increases across the UK, despite having much lower rents than England in absolute terms.
More news:
The North East Paradox
Within England, the story varies massively by region. The North East has the cheapest rents in England, but they’re rising the fastest.
North East: Rents up 8.0% – the biggest increase in England
London: Rents up just 1.1% – the smallest increase in England
So while London dominates the conversation around expensive renting, it’s actually renters in the North East, North West and other regions feeling the sharpest price rises right now.
How Much by Property Type?
Detached house: £1,563/month (highest)
Flats and maisonettes: £1,334/month (lowest)
4+ bedrooms: £2,037/month
1 bedroom: £1,109/month
Even the cheapest option – a flat – costs £1,334 per month on average. That’s roughly £16,000 a year before bills, food, or anything else.
Is the Slowing Good News?
Yes and no. Rent inflation is slowing, which is positive. But rents are still rising much faster than real wages.
Private sector real wage growth is just 0.5%. That means rents are rising seven times faster than what people are actually earning after inflation.
For renters, this means an ever-larger chunk of their income is going on housing costs.
What About House Prices?
Average UK house prices hit £270,000, up 2.4% in the year to December 2025. This is also slowing, down from 2.8% the month before.
England: £292,000 (up 1.7%)
Wales: £215,000 (up 5.0%)
Scotland: £191,000 (up 4.9%)
Wales is seeing the biggest house price rises too, not just rent increases.
The Renters' Rights Act
The Renters’ Rights Act arrives in May 2026. This data gives context for why it matters.
The act will ban Section 21 “no-fault” evictions, introduce stronger rights for tenants, and make it easier to challenge unfair rent increases.
With rents rising faster than wages – particularly in Wales, Northern Ireland, and the North East – renters need these protections more than ever.
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Disclaimer: Content on this page is for informational purposes and does not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research before making a financially related decision.
