Rental price movements across the UK showed a mixed pattern in February, with regional variation replacing the typical winter slowdown.
New figures highlight a fragmented private rented sector, with some regions recording modest rent increases while others experienced slight declines as seasonal adjustments continued to influence the market.
Month-on-month rental prices rose in several areas, including the East Midlands, where rents increased by 3.4%, the North West at 2.8%, Scotland at 2.7% and the South East at 2.0%.
However, other parts of the UK recorded declines, most notably Northern Ireland where rents fell by 6.6%. Smaller decreases were also seen in the West Midlands, down 1.3%, the East of England at 0.3% and Yorkshire and Humberside at 0.1%.
CAPITAL PICTURE
London recorded a 1.0% monthly increase in average rents, taking the typical monthly cost to £2,226. However, the representative salary required to secure an average rental property in the capital eased by 2.2% year-on-year to £66,780, making it one of the few regions where income thresholds have fallen.
Across the wider market, most regions saw modest increases in the typical salary required to secure a rental property, indicating that short-term fluctuations in rents have not yet translated into meaningful improvements in affordability.
In Scotland, the typical salary required rose by 5.9% year-on-year to £32,100, while the North West saw a 5% increase to £33,060. Wales recorded a 3.7% rise to £31,290, while the West Midlands increased by 2.5% to £31,200.
Other regions saw smaller annual increases. The North East rose by 1.9% to £27,240, Yorkshire and Humberside increased by 1.8% to £28,620 and the East Midlands rose by 1.7% to £30,810.
The South West recorded a 0.7% increase to £41,160, while Northern Ireland and the East of England saw marginal rises of 0.5% and 0.2% respectively.
Average monthly rents across the UK now range from £853 in Northern Ireland to £2,226 in London. Scotland recorded an average monthly rent of £1,070, while Wales stands at £1,043 and the East Midlands at £1,027.
The North West averages £1,102 per month, compared with £1,521 in the South East and £1,372 in the South West.
Megan Eighteen, president of ARLA Propertymark (Association of Residential Letting Agents), said: “February’s data reflects a more varied rental landscape than we saw earlier in the winter, with a number of regions recording modest month-on-month rent increases, including the East Midlands, North West and Scotland.
“At the same time, areas such as Northern Ireland and the West Midlands have seen rents fall back, demonstrating that seasonal influences are still at play in parts of the market.
“While some regions are experiencing short-term adjustments, the annual salary required to secure a rental property has generally edged upwards year on year.
“This underlines that affordability pressures remain structurally embedded despite monthly volatility.
“Overall, the data suggests a market that is recalibrating rather than correcting sharply.
“Sustainable improvements in affordability will ultimately depend on increasing rental supply and achieving a better balance between demand and available homes, rather than relying on seasonal shifts alone.”
REGIONAL SALARY REQUIREMENTS
Despite the varied monthly movement in rents, the broader trend suggests that affordability pressures remain firmly in place across most regions, with income thresholds still rising in much of the country.
The data points to a market that is becoming increasingly regionalised, with national averages masking notable differences in local supply, tenant demand and pricing pressures.
While some tenants may benefit from short-term rent corrections in certain regions, the wider structural imbalance between rental demand and housing supply continues to shape affordability across the UK.
