The Office for National Statistics published its latest private rent figures on 16 September 2026, covering the year to August 2026. Across the UK, average private rent rose 3.8% to £1,400 a month. In England the average reached £1,459, up 4.0%. The three cities we work in tell three different stories.
London: the highest rents, the slowest growth
The average private rent in London reached £2,332 a month, up 3.5% on a year earlier. Growth has slowed compared with the sharp rises of recent years, but the gap between London and everywhere else remains enormous. Within the capital, the borough averages vary widely:
- Kensington and Chelsea: £3,690
- Westminster: £3,196
- Islington: £2,868
- Camden: £2,819
- Hackney: £2,658
- Lambeth: £2,525
- Southwark: £2,474
- Tower Hamlets: £2,453
At these levels a single empty month can wipe out a large part of a year's profit, which is one reason guaranteed rent appeals to London owners.
Liverpool: the strongest growth of the three
Liverpool's average rent rose 5.6% to £913 a month, from £864 a year earlier. The North West as a whole recorded 5.8%, joint highest of any English region. By size, the average was £686 for a one bedroom home, £837 for two bedrooms, £963 for three and £1,293 for four or more.
Manchester: steady growth from a higher base
Manchester's average rent reached £1,373, up 4.2% from £1,317. The averages by size were £1,003 for one bedroom, £1,233 for two, £1,433 for three and £2,014 for four or more bedrooms. Flats and maisonettes averaged £1,147, while detached homes averaged £1,878.
What this means for landlords
Averages are useful for seeing direction, but they are not a valuation. Two homes on the same street can let for very different figures depending on condition, layout, outside space and how well they are presented. That is why we never give automated rent estimates. A property manager looks at your home and the current evidence and gives you a figure you can rely on.
It is also worth remembering that, since 1 May 2026, rent can only be increased once a year using the section 13 process. Setting the right rent at the start of a tenancy matters more than it used to.
Sources: ONS, Private rent and house prices, UK: September 2026; ONS, Housing prices in Manchester; ONS, Housing prices in Liverpool.
