UK Rent Growth Outpaces Inflation Again April 2025

Average rents are still rising at around double the rate of inflation for private tenants, according to the latest official data.

Rents increased by 7.4 per cent, to £1,335, in the 12 months to April 2025 - down from 7.7 per cent in the 12 months to March 2025, says the Office for National Statistics (ONS) monthly rent report for May 2025.

The official measure of inflation - the Consumer Prices Index including owner occupiers' housing costs (CPIH) - rose by 4.1 per cent in the 12 months to April 2025, up from 3.4 per cent in the 12 months to March.

Economists expect inflation to slowly drop back to the 2-3 per cent target over the next 12 months.

Rents are up 7.5 per cent in England to £1,390 a month and increased by 8.7 per cent to £795 in Wales, in the 12 months to April 2025.

North East still cheapest place for renters

In England, private rent rises were the highest in the North East (9.4 per cent) and lowest in Yorkshire and the Humber (4.0 per cent), in the year to April 2025. This annual rise was lower than in the 12 months to March 2025 (7.8 per cent) and below the record-high annual growth in the 12 months to November 2024 (9.2 per cent).

Renters in Wales are paying £64 more than a year ago, although this annual rise was lower than in the 12 months to March 2025 (8.9 per cent), but below the record-high annual rise of 9.9 per cent in November 2023.

The average private UK rent was £1,335 per month in April, £92 (7.4 per cent) higher than a year earlier.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) reported that tenant demand increased, and that declining new landlord instructions remain an enduring feature of the market.

Regional rents in England in April 2025

Rents where you are

Annual rent inflation remained lowest in Yorkshire and the Humber, at 4.0 per cent in the 12 months to April 2025. This annual rise was lower than in the 12 months to March 2025 (4.6 per cent) and marks the tenth month in a row of slowing annual inflation.

London's annual inflation was 8.4 per cent in the 12 months to April 2025, down from 9.1 per cent in the 12 months to March 2025.

Average rent was highest in London (£2,246) and lowest in the North East (£728) in April 2025.

Average monthly rent was highest in Kensington and Chelsea, London (£3,663), and lowest in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland (£526), in April 2025. Excluding London, the local area with the highest average rent in April 2025 was Elmbridge, South East (£1,878).

Choose a council from the dropdown box below for more detailed rent information.