The national story tells a different picture –
Average UK monthly private rent inflation continued to slow, increasing by 3.3%, to £1,383, in the 12 months to May 2026 (provisional estimate); this annual growth rate is down from 3.5% in the 12 months to April 2026.
Average rents increased to £1,442 (3.4%) in England, £836 (4.7%) in Wales, and £1,009 (1.0%) in Scotland, in the 12 months to May 2026.
In Northern Ireland, average rents increased to £876 (3.3%) in the 12 months to March 2026.
In England, private rent annual inflation was highest in the North East (5.9%), and lowest in London (2.0%), in the 12 months to May 2026.
Average UK house prices increased by 3.8%, to £270,000, in the 12 months to April 2026 (provisional estimate); this annual growth rate is up from 0.0% in the 12 months to March 2026.
The rise in annual UK house price inflation between March and April 2026 is caused by a base effect; this is because average UK prices rose moderately between March and April 2026, while decreasing sharply in the same period a year ago, following Stamp Duty Land Tax changes in England and Northern Ireland on 1 April 2025.
Average house prices increased to £291,000 (3.9%) in England, £212,000 (3.5%) in Wales, and £192,000 (2.8%) in Scotland, in the 12 months to April 2026.