The biggest rent price shifts since last Christmas

Leading lettings management platform, Howsy, has looked at where across the nation makes the rental naughty and nice lists since last Christmas, based on the growth in rental costs over the last 12 months.

Using data from the ONS, Howsy has highlighted the top 15 locations to have seen the biggest increases and decreases in the average rental price since last Christmas.

Nationally

Depending on whether you’re a tenant or a landlord, the naughty and nice lists will differ between rental growth and decline but across the nation as a whole, the cost of renting as edged up 0.9% in the last 12 months.

The largest increase has been in Yorkshire and the Humber with a 5.1% jump, while the North East is the only region to have seen a decline at -1.1%.

Where else has dropped?

Looking locally, tenants in Corby will be full of Christmas cheer with the average cost of renting down -10.5% in the last 12 months, the biggest drop across England. Elmbridge in Surrey has also seen the cost of renting drop by double-digits, down -10%.

Windsor and Maidenhead, Wycombe and Bath and North East Somerset also make the top ten biggest rental declines. At -7.2%, Richmond has seen the largest drop in rental values in London, with Tandridge, Stroud, Rushcliffe and Poole also amongst some of the largest drops.

Where has increased?

It’s not all festive cheer for tenants this Christmas though, particularly those in Exeter, with the average rental cost up 28.7% in the last 12 months. Norwich and Newcastle under Lyme have also seen rental prices jump by more than 20% at 21.1% and 20.5% respectively.

Camden has seen the largest increase in the capital, up 18.8%, along with South Oxfordshire at 16%. The City of London, Westminster, York, Hounslow and Mendip have all seen the average cost of renting increase by more than 10% this year.

Founder and CEO of Howsy, Calum Brannan, commented:

“The change in the cost of renting on a regional basis in the last 12 months alone highlights how diverse the rental market is and how fluctuations in stock levels and tenant demand can make a big difference between one area and the next.

Nationally, rents have increased, for the most part, but it’s not all bad news and while some tenants will be feeling the pinch more so this Christmas, others will be enjoying a reduction in the cost of renting.

With a number of legislative changes introduced this year, the rental sector should become a better, more transparent place for tenants and landlords alike as we head into a new decade and this is something we can all look forward to regardless of the change in rental costs.”

Lowest Rental Growth Nationally and by Region
Location
Rental change growth % (2018-2019)
England
0.9%
North East
-1.1%
London
1.1%
East of England
1.2%
South East
1.4%
East Midlands
1.9%
South West
2.5%
North West
2.6%
West Midlands
3.0%
Yorkshire and the Humber
5.1%
Lowest Rental Growth by Area
Location
Rental change growth % (2018-2019)
Corby
-10.5%
Elmbridge
-10.0%
Windsor and Maidenhead
-9.4%
Wycombe
-8.7%
Bath and North East Somerset
-7.3%
Richmond upon Thames
-7.2%
Tandridge
-7.0%
Stroud
-6.7%
Rushcliffe
-6.2%
Poole
-5.9%
Wealden
-5.7%
Newcastle upon Tyne
-5.5%
Brighton and Hove
-4.9%
Ealing
-4.5%
Middlesbrough
-4.3%
Highest Rental Growth by Area
Location
Rental change growth % (2018-2019)
Exeter
28.7%
Norwich
21.1%
Newcastle-under-Lyme
20.5%
Camden
19.8%
South Oxfordshire
16.0%
City of London
11.7%
Westminster
11.4%
York
11.3%
Hounslow
10.5%
Mendip
10.1%
Broadland
8.6%
Wirral
8.5%
Chiltern
8.2%
Canterbury
8.1%
Sedgemoor
8.1%

Properganda PR

National and local media coverage for property businesses. Journo quotes delivered in minutes.

You May Also Enjoy

Estate Agent Talk

How Technology is Changing the Prime Property Viewing Experience

The world of luxury real estate has always been about delivering a premium, personal experience. But in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, even the most traditional sectors are being reshaped by technology—and prime property viewings are no exception. From augmented reality to AI-driven virtual tours, the way buyers interact with high-end properties has changed dramatically.…
Read More
Love or Hate Rightmove
Breaking News

Average two-year fixed mortgage rate for 60% LTV now cheaper than five-year rate

The average two-year fixed mortgage rate for those with a 40% deposit (60% LTV) is now cheaper than the average five-year fixed equivalent, the first time this has happened since the mini-Budget The average two-year fixed, 60% LTV mortgage rate is now 4.18%, while the five-year equivalent is 4.19% The gap between average two-year fixed…
Read More
Overseas Property

How UK Property Investors Can Manage Exchange Rate Risk When Buying Off-Plan Overseas

Off-plan purchases are especially common in developing overseas property markets with a high proportion of international investors. In these less mature markets, a significant share of stock is sold directly by developers, making off-plan transactions a natural sales model. These opportunities appeal to international buyers because they typically require less upfront cash due to extended…
Read More
Breaking News

Foxtons Lettings Market Index – March 2025

London rental market gains momentum as new rental listings surge, Foxtons data shows   March saw a 14% increase in new rental listings across London compared to February Applicant registrations rose by 11% month-on-month in March. Year on year, demand was stable, tracking just 2% below March 2024 levels The average rent in March stood…
Read More
Breaking News

UK’s mid-market firms show improved business growth in March but economic uncertainty continues

Key findings: NatWest’s Mid-market Growth Tracker shows improved business growth in March, led by a strong service sector performance SMEs register a softer decline in output levels during March Market conditions remain challenging and we could see continued challenges in the coming months   Mid-market businesses continued to outperform the wider UK economy in March,…
Read More
Breaking News

ONS Private rent and house prices UK – April 2025

The Price Index of Private Rents (PIPR) measures private rent inflation for new and existing tenancies. The UK House Price Index measures house price inflation. Main Headlines Average UK monthly private rents increased by 7.7%, to £1,332, in the 12 months to March 2025 (provisional estimate); this annual growth rate is down from 8.1% in…
Read More