ONS Private rent and house prices, UK: April 2026
- Average UK monthly private rents increased by 3.4%, to £1,377, in the 12 months to March 2026 (provisional estimate); this annual growth rate is down from 3.6% the 12 months to February 2026.
- Average rents increased to £1,434 (3.4%) in England, £830 (4.8%) in Wales, and £1,022 (2.1%) in Scotland, in the 12 months to March 2026.
- In Northern Ireland, average rents increased to £880 (5.0%), in the 12 months to January 2026.
- In England, private rents annual inflation was highest in the North East (6.5%), and lowest in London (1.7%), in the 12 months to March 2026.
- Average UK house prices increased by 1.2%, to £268,000, in the 12 months to February 2026 (provisional estimate); this annual growth rate is up from 1.0%, in the 12 months to January 2026.
- Average house prices increased to £290,000 (0.8%) in England, £210,000 (2.5%) in Wales, and £187,000 (2.3%) in Scotland, in the 12 months to February 2026.
Average UK monthly private rents increased by 3.4%, in the 12 months to March 2026 (provisional estimate). This was down from 3.6% in the 12 months to February 2026 and is the lowest annual inflation rate since March 2022.
Average UK house prices increased by 1.2% (provisional estimate) to £268,000, in the 12 months to February 2026. This annual growth was up from 1.0% in the 12 months to January 2026.
The average house price for England was £290,000 in February 2026, up 0.8% (£2,000) from a year earlier. This annual rise was higher than in the 12 months to January 2026 (0.7%).
The average house price for Wales was £210,000 in February 2026, up 2.5% (£5,000) from a year earlier. This annual rise was higher than in the 12 months to January 2026 (1.8%).
The average house price for Scotland was £187,000 in February 2026, up 2.3% (£4,000) from a year earlier. This annual rise was higher than in the 12 months to January 2026 (1.4%).
The average house price for Northern Ireland was £196,000 in Quarter 4 (October to December) 2025, up 7.5% (£12,000) from Quarter 4 2024.
Commenting on house prices, Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark, comments:
“While it is encouraging to see growth within the housing market, we sit in a phase where the forthcoming months are more difficult to foretell from an affordability viewpoint.
“With the wider picture regarding inflation being very complex to fully envisage, the Bank of England will likely choose to approach the situation with extreme caution, as they make their next base rate decision at the end of the month.
“Worst case scenario, some people may find additional pressures being placed on their household finances across the coming months from three distinct angles. Inflation may push up prices on key household purchases, such as the weekly shop. Base rates could also see increases, affecting those with tracker products, as well as those taking on new mortgage deals, and we could see potential fluctuation in energy prices as well.
“We may see an increased need for a cautious and thoughtful approach to household budgeting, particularly if the effects of global unrest continue to have an influence on our economy domestically.”
Commenting on rental prices, Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark, comments:
“Rising rental prices continue to reflect the chronic imbalance between supply and demand in the private rented sector. Letting agents across the UK are consistently reporting high tenant demand alongside a shortage of available properties, which is inevitably placing upward pressure on rents.
“Propertymark’s latest member data shows that an average of seven applicants are registering per available property. This is not a short-term trend; it reflects years of underinvestment in the sector and growing regulatory pressures, which are discouraging landlords from entering or remaining in the market.
“If rents are to stabilise, measures that support supply must be prioritised, including support for landlords and a regulatory environment that encourages long-term investment. Without this, affordability challenges for tenants will likely only intensify.”
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