Private rents across the UK rose 3.8% in the year to August 2026, taking the average monthly rent to £1,400, according to provisional estimates from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Annual growth was slightly up from 3.7% in the year to July.
Rents across the UK
Average rents were £1,459 in England (up 4.0%), £846 in Wales (up 4.3%) and £1,013 in Scotland (up 1.1%). In Northern Ireland, where data runs to June 2026, the average was £874 (up 1.6%).
Within England, annual rent growth was highest in the North East and North West, both 5.8%, and lowest in the South East at 3.0%.
House prices
The average UK house price was £273,000 in July 2026, up 1.4% over the year, down slightly from 1.5% in June. Averages were £293,000 in England (up 1.1%), £215,000 in Wales (up 2.6%) and £196,000 in Scotland (up 2.3%).
Scotland in context
Scotland had the slowest rent growth of the four UK nations in this release. The ONS advises caution when comparing Scotland and Northern Ireland with the rest of the UK because the data is collected differently.
About the figures
The Price Index of Private Rents became official statistics on 20 May 2026. The latest months are provisional and may be revised. The next release is due on 21 October 2026.
