Rental prices rose in eight of the 11 regions between September and October, according to the latest rental price and average salary tracker from Propertymark.
Wales recorded the largest monthly increase at 31.1%, followed by the North East at 29.8% and the South West at 7.5%. Scotland, London and the North West were the only regions to record monthly falls.
Affordability also deteriorated over the year in eight regions, with the representative salary required to secure an average-priced rental rising year on year. Scotland saw the largest increase at 3.2%, followed by Wales at 3.0% and the South West at 2.5%. Overall, the figures point to renewed upward pressure across much of the private rented sector.
Three regions bucked the trend. The annual salary requirement fell by 6.1% in the North East, by 2.8% in the East Midlands and by 1.1% in the North West, suggesting improved affordability compared with October 2025.
Regional gaps in rental prices
London continues to have the highest affordability threshold, with a representative annual salary of £69,660 required to secure an average-priced rental. That compares with £29,130 in Yorkshire and Humberside, highlighting the substantial regional disparities facing renters.
The tracker calculates the representative salary at 30 times the monthly rent, the level typically needed to pass referencing checks. It takes average rents from around 15,000 agencies across the UK and bases them on the final let price rather than the asking price.
Rental pricing can reflect location, the types of property offered, supply and demand and seasonal trends. Northern Ireland is excluded because the sample was too small for reliable findings.
“The October figures highlight the continued challenges facing renters across much of the UK, with average monthly rents increasing in eight of the 11 regions,” said Kim Lidbury, president of ARLA Propertymark.
“The particularly sharp rises recorded in Wales and the North East stand out, demonstrating how quickly rental costs can change and the differing pressures experienced across the country.
“Looking at affordability over the longer term, the picture is similarly challenging. The salary required to secure an average-priced rental has increased in eight regions over the past year, with Scotland, Wales and the South West seeing the largest increases. This reinforces the fact that rental costs continue to place pressure on household incomes, even where some regional improvements have been recorded.
“There are, however, some positive signs. The North East has seen the largest annual improvement in affordability, with the representative salary required falling by 6.1%, while the East Midlands and North West have also recorded reductions. These differences highlight how varied the rental market remains across the UK.
“Ultimately, improving affordability will require a sustained focus on increasing the supply of good-quality rental homes. Supporting responsible landlords to remain in the sector and invest in their properties, while addressing the wider shortage of housing, will be essential to creating a more balanced and sustainable private rented sector for tenants.”
