This table shows median monthly private rents across UK regions for different property sizes, based on ONS Private Rental Market Statistics. Use it to compare rents between regions, benchmark your current rent against regional averages, or research a potential move.
How to use this tool
- Select a property size to filter the table to that bedroom count, or leave it on All sizes to see all figures together.
- When a single property size is selected, the third column shows how each region compares to the national median for that size.
- Use the sort control to order rows by region name or rent level.
Understanding your results
Figures show median monthly rents at regional level. Regional averages cover a wide range of property types and conditions within each area. Average rents in inner London boroughs, for example, differ substantially from outer London figures. Use this table for regional-level comparison. For specific areas, check current listings on Rightmove or Zoopla.
ONS data covers both new lets and existing tenancies. Rents on new lets tend to be higher than the all-tenancies median. If you are looking at a new rental, your actual rent may be above the regional median shown here.
Legal context
Under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, in force in England from 1 May 2026, landlords can increase rent once per year by serving a Section 13 notice with at least two months’ notice. Tenants can challenge a proposed increase at the First-tier Tribunal if they believe it exceeds the market rate for comparable properties in the area. Regional median figures from this table can be used as supporting context when assessing whether a proposed increase is in line with local market rents, though the Tribunal will look at comparable properties rather than broad regional averages.
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Frequently asked questions
How often does the ONS release the Private Rental Market Statistics?
The ONS publishes the Private Rental Market Statistics (PRMS) quarterly. Releases typically follow around six to eight weeks after the reference period ends. The dataset covers index-linked private rental prices for England, Scotland, and Wales, and is available via the ONS website at ons.gov.uk.
What does the ONS PRMS data actually cover?
The PRMS covers price changes for privately rented properties in England, Scotland, and Wales, broken down by broad region (North East, North West, Yorkshire and The Humber, and so on) and by bedroom count. It does not provide data at local authority level. The Index of Private Housing Rental Prices (IPHRP) measures changes in rental prices paid by existing tenants rather than new lets, so it lags behind advertised asking rents.
How do I interpret the ONS national median rent figure?
The ONS national median is a weighted average across all regions and bedroom counts. Because London rents are substantially higher than the rest of England, the national median is pulled upward and does not reflect typical rents in most parts of the country. When using the data for comparison, always reference the regional breakdown rather than the national headline.
Which UK regions have seen the highest rent growth in recent years?
According to ONS PRMS data, the East Midlands, East of England, and South West consistently recorded above-average annual rent increases between 2022 and 2024. London remains the highest-priced region by absolute value. Scotland saw some of the sharpest increases following the expiry of the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) Scotland Act 2022 freeze period.
How does London affect national average rental figures?
London rents are typically 80 to 100 per cent above the England regional average. When London is included in a national average, it shifts the headline significantly upward. ONS publications often present England excluding London as a separate series for this reason. If you are comparing rents outside London, use the relevant regional series rather than the England aggregate.
What is the relationship between rental yield and house prices by region?
Rental yield (annual rent divided by property value) tends to be highest in regions with lower house prices relative to rent, such as the North East and parts of the Midlands, where gross yields of 6 to 8 per cent are achievable. In London and the South East, high property values compress yields to 3 to 4 per cent. This inverse relationship means that high-yield regions often have lower capital growth expectations.
Does Right to Rent have implications if I move to a different region?
Right to Rent checks under the Immigration Act 2014 apply across England and require every landlord to verify a tenant’ right to be in the UK before the tenancy starts. The obligation applies regardless of which region you are moving to or from within England. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland do not have Right to Rent requirements as of 2025.
Why do council tax rates differ between local authority areas?
Council tax is set independently by each billing authority (district, borough, or unitary authority) and varies based on local spending decisions, population size, and central government grants. Band D charges ranged from approximately £900 per year in the lowest-charging authorities to over £2,500 in the highest in 2024/25. Checking the specific band and rate for any prospective property is essential before comparing true monthly costs.
Where can I find local authority-level rental data?
The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) publishes private rental market statistics at local authority level for England. The dataset, available at voa.gov.uk, covers median rents by number of bedrooms and is used to set Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates. It is updated annually and covers lower quartile, median, and upper quartile rents, making it more granular than the ONS PRMS series.
How can I use rental market data to negotiate my rent?
Reference the VOA local authority median for your bedroom count and area when challenging a rent increase or negotiating at the start of a tenancy. If your landlord issues a Section 13 notice (rent increase for periodic tenancies), you can apply to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) to challenge it. The Tribunal uses comparable local rents as its primary benchmark, so having VOA data to hand strengthens your position.