"What we’re seeing is not a fundamental shift in affordability, but a seasonal squeeze layered on top of an already tight rental landscape"
- Megan Eighteen - ARLA Propertymark
Year-on-year rental trends across the UK remain broadly stable, with most regions showing only modest shifts in rent levels and required salaries. However, month-on-month movements tell a different story, as short-term volatility continues to reshape affordability in several areas.
Short-term rental pressures are emerging as the key influence on affordability in the North East, Wales, the South West, Yorkshire & Humberside, and parts of the Midlands, where recent rent increases are more pronounced. Other regions, including London, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the East of England, are showing comparatively steady annual patterns, with fewer short-term fluctuations.
Taken together, the market appears increasingly polarised. National averages present a picture of relative stability, although localised rental changes are placing immediate pressures on tenants in multiple places. For this reason, short-term shifts are now a critical part of the affordability picture.
This monthly report analyses affordability across the private rented sector by examining:
- Average final agreed rental prices
- The typical average annual salary required by referencing agencies to rent affordably
These indicators highlight how accessible rental homes are in relation to income, providing insight for those navigating the changing rental landscape.
November 2025
| Location | Average rental price | Representative average annual salary needed to secure the average-priced home (before tax and any deductions) |
| Scotland | £1,053 | £31,590 |
| Northern Ireland | £924 | £27,720 |
| Wales | £1,182 | £35,460 |
| East Midlands | £1,104 | £33,120 |
| East of England | £1,367 | £41,010 |
| London (inner and outer London) | £2,208 | £66,240 |
| North East | £1,273 | £38,190 |
| North West | £1,176 | £35,280 |
| South East | £1,606 | £48,180 |
| South West | £1,578 | £47,340 |
| West Midlands | £1,167 | £35,010 |
| Yorkshire and Humberside | £1,176 | £35,280 |
November 2024
| Location | Average rental price 2024 | Representative average annual salary needed to secure the average-priced home (before tax and any deductions) |
| Scotland | £1,035 | £31,050 |
| Northern Ireland | £914 | £27,420 |
| Wales | £1,238 | £37,140 |
| East Midlands | £1,128 | £33,840 |
| East of England | £1,346 | £40,380 |
| London (inner and outer London) | £2,233 | £66,990 |
| North East | £1,307 | £39,210 |
| North West | £1,174 | £35,220 |
| South East | £1,622 | £48,660 |
| South West | £1,573 | £47,190 |
| West Midlands | £1,130 | £33,900 |
| Yorkshire and Humberside | £1,154 | £34,620 |
“Seasonal pressures are clearly influencing the market as we move into the pre-Christmas period, with many tenants aiming to secure a home before the end of the year,” comments Megan Eighteen, president of ARLA Propertymark (Association of Residential Letting Agents).
“This surge in demand is amplifying short-term rent increases in several regions, even though the underlying year-on-year trends remain relatively steady."
"What we’re seeing is not a fundamental shift in affordability, but a seasonal squeeze layered on top of an already tight rental landscape. Unless more homes become available to rent, rent levels will continue to place a significant strain on households looking to move at peak times of the year.”
