BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, UK. July 22nd, 2026 – New July 2026 analysis from LandlordBuyer suggests Britain’s rental market remains under significant pressure, despite official figures showing that rent inflation has levelled off.
- Average UK private rents reached £1,388 per month in the 12 months to June 2026, according to the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures.
- UK private rents increased by 3.3% year-on-year, with average rents continuing to rise across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
- Regular pay growth in the private sector slowed to 2.9%, marking the weakest annual increase since 2020.
- Earlier LandlordBuyer research found 57% of landlords selling rental properties intend to leave the private rented sector altogether, raising ongoing concerns around future housing supply.
The latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) data shows average private rents across the UK increased by 3.3% in the 12 months to June 2026, taking the average monthly rent to £1,388. The annual growth rate remained unchanged from May, with average rents continuing to increase across every UK nation, reaching £1,446 in England, £843 in Wales, £1,012 in Scotland and £877 in Northern Ireland.
At the same time, separate ONS earnings data shows that regular pay growth in the private sector slowed to 2.9%, the weakest annual increase since 2020, suggesting many households could continue to feel the pressure as housing costs rise faster than earnings.
LandlordBuyer believes these two official datasets paint a clearer picture of the challenges facing renters than either statistic in isolation.
Jason Harris-Cohen, Managing Director of LandlordBuyer, said: “The headlines naturally focus on rent inflation stabilising, and that’s welcome news. However, when wage growth is slowing at the same time, affordability doesn’t suddenly improve. Many tenants are still finding that housing takes up a significant proportion of their monthly income.”
He continued: “The other side of the equation is supply. While demand for rental homes remains incredibly strong, we’re continuing to speak to landlords who feel now is the right time to leave the sector. That creates ongoing pressure on the number of homes available to rent.”
Earlier this year, LandlordBuyer research found that 57% of landlords selling investment properties planned to leave the private rented sector altogether, rather than reinvesting in another buy-to-let property.
The company says this trend has the potential to prolong supply shortages if exiting landlords are not replaced by new investors entering the market.
Although annual rent growth has remained steady, the latest ONS figures also show regional disparities continue. In England, private rent inflation was highest in the North East at 6.3%, while London recorded the lowest annual increase at 2.2%. Meanwhile, average UK house prices rose 2.7% in the year to May 2026, taking the average property value to £271,000.
LandlordBuyer has recently launched its UK Landlord Exit Report, a recurring market analysis combining official housing statistics with proprietary landlord sentiment research to monitor how the private rented sector evolves throughout 2026.
Media Contact
David Donaldson
hello@buzzlogic.co.uk
