Average residential rents across the UK increased by 2.2% in 2025, when compared to 2024, with the average advertised rent of homes outside of London being £1,370pcm according to Rightmove.

Although rents were up on 2024 as a whole, they were down 1.1% in Q4 2025 on the previous quarter, making it only the second time in five years that quarterly rents have fallen.

Sarah Leslie, Lettings Manager at Jackson-Stops Sevenoaks, said: “Tenants are increasingly focused on value for money. Pricing accuracy is now critical to maintaining momentum. Homes that are realistically priced for current market conditions are continuing to let well, while those that are over-priced are taking longer to secure tenants.

"Despite this shift, supply constraints are still supporting rents. Overall rental supply remains well below long-term norms, which means rental growth is moderating rather than reversing.”

Within London, average rents fell by 0.7% in Q4 compared to the previous quarter, taking the average advertised rent in London to £2,716. Average rents in London rose by 0.8% in 2025, the lowest annual rate of growth since 2020, when rents fell in London following the pandemic starting.

In 2025, rents rose the least in the North East (+0.4%) and London (+0.8%) and the most in the North West (+3.6%) and Yorkshire & The Humber (+3.1%).