Average private rents: August 2026 figures from the ONS

The ONS reported in September 2026 that average UK monthly private rent increased by 3.8% to £1,400 in the 12 months to August 2026, up from 3.7% annual growth in the 12 months to July 2026. The figures come from the Price Index of Private Rents, which measures private rent inflation for new and existing tenancies.

On 20 May 2026, the Price Index of Private Rents data became official statistics and are no longer considered to be in development. The index was upgraded following a quality review by the Office for Statistics Regulation.

Rents across the four nations

Average rents increased to £1,459 in England (4.0% annually), £846 in Wales (4.3%), and £1,013 in Scotland (1.1%) in the 12 months to August 2026. In Northern Ireland, average rents increased to £874 (1.6%) in the 12 months to June 2026. Northern Ireland data runs two months behind the other nations.

In England, private rent annual inflation was highest in the North East and North West (5.8%) and lowest in the South East (3.0%) in the 12 months to August 2026. Regional differences reflect varying supply and demand pressures across the country.

What the index measures

In England and Wales, achieved rent data are collected for both new and existing tenancies. This means the index captures the full rental market, not just advertised properties. In Northern Ireland, rent data are for newly advertised lets.

Historically, Scotland rents data used in the Price Index of Private Rents were mainly for advertised new lets, but the Scottish Government have recently changed their data collection process, which is increasing their collection of achieved rents for both existing and new tenancies. From September 2022 to March 2025, measures relating to in-tenancy rent increases were implemented in Scotland. The ONS advises users to bear this in mind when comparing Scotland with other UK countries.

Highlight

The Price Index of Private Rents became full official statistics in May 2026, upgraded from official statistics in development following a quality assessment by the Office for Statistics Regulation.

London and local variation

The August 2026 annual inflation rate of 3.8% was the highest since December 2025 and was mainly caused by a rise in London's annual inflation rate, to its highest rate since October 2025. London had previously shown some of the weakest rent growth in England.

In August 2026, average monthly rent was highest in Kensington and Chelsea, London (£3,690), and lowest in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland (£558). Excluding London, the local area with the highest average monthly rent in August 2026 was Oxford, South East (£1,963).

Rents by property type

The average UK monthly private rent in August 2026 was highest for detached properties (£1,589) and lowest for flats and maisonettes (£1,367). Average UK private rent was highest for properties with four or more bedrooms (£2,080) and lowest for properties with one bedroom (£1,136).

These national averages mask wide local variation. Tenants looking at affordability will find it helpful to compare rent levels and household incomes in specific areas.

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Provisional estimates and revisions

Price Index of Private Rents estimates for the UK series for July and August 2026 will be revised in line with the index's two-month revision policy. The ONS publishes provisional figures for the latest two months, which are then revised as more complete data becomes available.

Northern Ireland rent data are currently available up to June 2026. To produce UK statistics for the latest two months, Northern Ireland's index is estimated using the monthly average of its latest two-month inflation rate.

The next release is scheduled for 21 October 2026, when the ONS will publish figures for September 2026. Renters, landlords and policymakers use the index to track rental market trends and assess affordability pressures.