RENTAL PRICE INFLATION SLOWS, OCTOBER HOMELET RENTAL INDEX REVEALS

  • Average rents across the UK rose by 0.9% in October when compared to the same month a year ago; the average monthly rent is now £909
  • Rents in London rose 0.6% in October, year-on-year; the average monthly rent in the capital now stands at £1,556
  • On an annualised basis, rents rose in 11 out of the 12 regions of the UK covered by the research; however, the average rents secured in October were lower than in September in every region, contributing to a significant slowing in the annual rate of inflation.

 

About our data: HomeLet Rental Index provides the most comprehensive and up to date data on new tenancies in the UK. As part of referencing prospective tenants each year, HomeLet processes information including the rental amounts agreed, the number of tenants moving into the property, together with the employment status, income and age of all tenants. The trends reported within the HomeLet Rental Index are brand new tenancies which were arranged in the most recent period, giving the most relevant insight into changes in the Private Rented Sector. This is in contrast to many other rental indices which are based on all properties which are being managed, which may have had rental amounts agreed as long as two years ago.

 

Rents in the UK rose by an average of 0.9% during October, new data from HomeLet reveals, the fourth successive month of increases following a short period of falling rents in the Spring. The average rent agreed on a new tenancy signed in October was £909 according to the October HomeLet Rental Index, compared to £901 in the same month of last year.

However, while October’s average increase reflects higher rents recorded in 11 out of the 12 areas of the country that HomeLet monitors – the South-East was the exception – the pace of rental price inflation has slowed. October’s 0.9% increase follows rises of 2.0% and 2.4% in September and August respectively. Indeed, on a monthly basis, rents on new tenancies in October were lower in every area of the country than in September.

The national picture was reflected in London where annualised rental price inflation was 0.6% in October, down from 1.8% and 2.5% in September and August. The average tenancy agreed in London last month cost £1,556, compared to £1,593 in September. HomeLet’s regional data is available in more detail via an online interactive infographic.

Rental figures from the October 2017 HomeLet Rental Index

Region Average rent in October 2017 Average rent in September 2017 Average rent in October 2016 Monthly variation Annual variation
East Midlands £618 £620 £596 -0.3% 3.6%
Northern Ireland £625 £636 £604 -1.7% 3.4%
West Midlands £683 £692 £663 -1.3% 2.9%
North West £692 £697 £676 -0.7% 2.3%
Yorkshire & Humberside £628 £630 £615 -0.3% 2.1%
Scotland £621 £628 £608 -1.1% 2.1%
North East £528 £529 £518 -0.2% 1.9%
South West £790 £814 £777 -2.9% 1.6%
Wales £612 £617 £603 -0.8% 1.5%
Greater London £1,556 £1,593 £1,547 -2.3% 0.6%
East of England £901 £914 £899 -1.4% 0.2%
South East £977 £1,001 £985 -2.4% -0.8%
UK £909 £927 £901 -1.9% 0.9%
UK excluding Greater London £755 £766 £744 -1.4% 1.5%
Notes:

 

Based on new tenancies in October 2017 Based on new tenancies in September 2017 Based on new tenancies in October 2016 Comparison of average rent in October 2017 and September 2017 Comparison of average rent in October 2017 and October 2016

 

 

HomeLet Rental Index Regional Variance Figures for October 2017

Shared by: Hayley Collins – McGrory Communications

EAN Content

Content shared by this account is either news shared free by third parties or sponsored (paid for) content from third parties. Please be advised that links to third party websites are not endorsed by Estate Agent Networking - Please do your own research before committing to any third party business promoted on our website. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

London rents outperform property values

The latest research by London lettings and estate agent, Benham and Reeves, has revealed that rental growth has outperformed house price growth across 26 of London’s 32 boroughs since the start of the year, with rents continuing to climb despite weaker property price performance across much of the capital. Benham and Reeves analysed the average…
Read More →
Breaking News

Rental property availability falls

The number of rental properties available across England fell by 12.1% during the third quarter of 2026, according to new analysis by Dwelly, highlighting an increasingly competitive rental market in many parts of the country. Dwelly is one of the UK’s largest rental property management groups, with more than 15,000 properties under management. The firm’s…
Read More →
Breaking News

Average advertised rents surpass £1,400 for the first time

The average advertised rent of homes outside London has risen to a new record of £1,418 per calendar month, up 1.5% this quarter: Despite a new record rent, annual rental growth has returned to a more stable level of +2.4% Number of available rental homes nationally is 2% lower than a year ago, while renter…
Read More →
Breaking News

Barclays unlocks wider mortgage access for company directors

Limited company directors who meet the income threshold can now have their Profit After Tax (PAT) considered in their affordability assessment regardless of property value The change means that, for a wider group of limited company directors, Barclays will consider a fuller view of the applicant’s income The update is the latest in a series…
Read More →
Breaking News

Homebuyer demand fall in Q3

The latest sales demand data from eXp UK has revealed that homebuyer demand in England slipped by -1.6% in Q3 2026. The analysis shows that just five counties managed positive growth during the quarter, suggesting that buyers may be holding back, adopting a wait-and-see approach ahead of what promises to be a vital Autumn Budget –…
Read More →
Estate Agent Talk

Alterations can change a property’s rebuild cost

‘Don’t get caught short’ warning to homeowners from valuations experts – alterations can change a property’s rebuild cost Properties change over time. Homeowners may add an extension, upgrade a kitchen or bathroom, alter the layout, or even change how the building is used, but when do those changes mean it’s time for a new rebuild…
Read More →