The rental market across England is showing signs of cooling following a summer in which a range of rental records were broken.

According to Goodlord’s latest analysis of confirmed tenancy data, month-on-month rents dipped during September and year-on-year rent inflation continues to slow. Across the country, voids increased in many regions as the market heads into what is traditionally a quieter season for lettings.

Rents were down during September, dropping by an average of 2% across England. The new rental average is £1,447, down from August’s figure of £1,480. The biggest regional shifts were seen in the North East and the East Midlands, where prices dropped by 8%. This was followed by a 7% reduction in the South West.

Two regions bucked the trend, however. Greater London saw prices rise by over 6% during September – potentially driven by an influx of students and new graduates to the capital. The West Midlands also saw a marginal rent rise, with prices up by 1%.

Compared to the same time last year, rents are now 2.1% higher year-on-year. In September 2024, tenants were paying £1,417 per property on average. This September, that had risen to £1,447 per month.

Year-on-year, rents are higher in all regions except for the South East, which saw a very slight reduction in average costs during September – down 0.6%. Elsewhere, year-on-year rent increases range from 1.4% (West Midlands) to 3.8% (Greater London).