Average Rents Outside London Hit Record £1,397 as Tenant Inquiries Fall to 10 per Listing

Average advertised private rents outside London reached a record £1,397 per month in the second quarter of 2026, The Independent reported. The figure marked a 1.9 percent increase from the prior quarter and a 2.3 percent rise from a year earlier.

That level reflected a 2.0 percent quarterly gain and a 2.9 percent increase over the previous year. The number of homes listed for rent stood 1 percent below the level recorded a year ago. The Independent said the decline in supply stemmed more from fewer newly listed properties than from quicker turnover in the market.

Tenant competition eased further. The average rental home now draws 10 inquiries, down from 11 a year earlier and 22 in 2022. London properties receive an average of eight inquiries while those in the North West of England receive 14.