Private rent and house prices, UK: June 2026
Main points
Average UK monthly private rent inflation continued to slow, increasing by 3.3%, to £1,383, in the 12 months to May 2026 (provisional estimate); this annual growth rate is down from 3.5% in the 12 months to April 2026.
Average rents increased to £1,442 (3.4%) in England, £836 (4.7%) in Wales, and £1,009 (1.0%) in Scotland, in the 12 months to May 2026.
In Northern Ireland, average rents increased to £876 (3.3%) in the 12 months to March 2026.
In England, private rent annual inflation was highest in the North East (5.9%), and lowest in London (2.0%), in the 12 months to May 2026.
Average UK house prices increased by 3.8%, to £270,000, in the 12 months to April 2026 (provisional estimate); this annual growth rate is up from 0.0% in the 12 months to March 2026.
The rise in annual UK house price inflation between March and April 2026 is caused by a base effect; this is because average UK prices rose moderately between March and April 2026, while decreasing sharply in the same period a year ago, following Stamp Duty Land Tax changes in England and Northern Ireland on 1 April 2025.
Average house prices increased to £291,000 (3.9%) in England, £212,000 (3.5%) in Wales, and £192,000 (2.8%) in Scotland, in the 12 months to April 2026.
Commenting on house prices, Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark:
“An increase in house prices reflects continued resilience within the housing market despite wider and ongoing economic pressures. While demand remains steady, affordability continues to be a challenge for many households, particularly first-time buyers.
“A well-functioning housing market relies on a balance between supply and demand, and long-term solutions are needed to improve affordability and consumer choice.
“With inflation remaining unchanged at 2.8%, there is further evidence that relative stability within the economy may be starting to return. Attention will now turn to tomorrow’s Bank of England interest rate decision, which will be closely monitored by consumers and businesses alike, given its influence on borrowing costs and market confidence.”
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