Private rent and house prices, UK: August 2026
Main points
- Average UK monthly private rent increased by 3.7%, to £1,393, in the 12 months to July 2026 (provisional estimate); this annual growth rate is up from 3.3% in the 12 months to June 2026.
- Average rents increased to £1,451 (3.8%) in England, £843 (4.5%) in Wales, and £1,016 (1.7%) in Scotland, in the 12 months to July 2026.
- In Northern Ireland, average rents increased to £875 (2.3%), in the 12 months to May 2026.
- In England, private rent annual inflation was highest in the North East (6.3%), and lowest in the South East (2.9%), in the 12 months to July 2026.
- Average UK house prices increased by 2.0%, to £272,000, in the 12 months to June 2026 (provisional estimate); this annual growth rate is down from 3.0% in the 12 months to May 2026.
- UK house price annual inflation slowed sharply in June 2026 because price growth has been weaker this summer than it was last year in the months following the April 2025 Stamp Duty Land Tax changes in England and Northern Ireland.
- Average house prices increased to £293,000 (1.8%) in England, £213,000 (1.8%) in Wales, and £195,000 (2.3%) in Scotland, in the 12 months to June 2026.
On house prices, Nathan Emerson, CEO at Propertymark, comments:
“The UK’s housing market is central to the country’s economic engine, so any fall in house prices can naturally create a sense of nervousness among sellers, especially when looking at the figures year on year. While short-term fluctuations are a normal part of the property market, they can influence confidence and lead some homeowners to delay decisions until there is greater certainty about the direction of the market.
“It will, however, be a case of closely watching how matters progress over the coming months, as significant uncertainty remains, particularly when considering the wider global economy.
“Across all nations, housing remains a key political focus, and there are significant challenges still to overcome. We recently witnessed Andy Burnham enter Downing Street, specifically highlighting housing as an issue that must remain at the heart of the UK Government’s attention moving forward.”
On rents, Nathan Emerson, CEO at Propertymark, comments:
“Although rental prices continue to increase, the overall rate of rental inflation has slowed over the past 12 months. However, with an average of seven people registering their interest in each available property at many letting agency branches, there remains intense pressure on the supply of suitable rental homes.
“Across all nations, there is a continued need for substantial long-term investment in housing to keep pace with real-world demand, particularly as the population continues to grow. However, for rental stock levels to increase, many factors must work in harmony to help deliver sustainable new homes in the regions where they are needed and at the right time.”
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