Annual rental growth in the UK remained at 5% in October 2026, though monthly increases slowed from 0.9% in September to 0.6%, according to data from lettings platform Goodlord.
The figures suggest the rental market is entering a seasonal slowdown, with average rents reaching £1,592 per property in October, up from £1,516 in October 2025.
Regional variations
Wales recorded the sharpest annual increase at 7%, whilst England saw rents rise by 5.7%. Scotland posted the most modest growth at 2.7% year-on-year.
The North East experienced the largest regional increase, with rents climbing 14.2% annually from £881 to £1,007, representing an additional £1,512 per year for tenants. Yorkshire and the Humber followed with an 8.7% annual rise.
The East of England was the only region to record a decline, with rents falling 0.3% year-on-year. All other monitored regions showed monthly increases, led by Yorkshire and the Humber at 2.1% and the North West at 1.2%.
The North East, which jumped 5.6% month-on-month in September, slowed to 0.7% in October. The South West similarly decelerated from 2.5% to 0.4%.
Void periods extend
Average void periods between tenancies increased to 28 days in October, up from 20 days in September and 21 days in October 2025. Greater London recorded the shortest voids at 25 days, whilst Wales saw the longest at 34 days, followed by Yorkshire and the Humber at 32 days.
The North East, which recorded void periods of just 11 days in September, saw this extend to 28 days in October.
William Reeve, Chief Executive of Goodlord, attributed the rental inflation to the Renters’ Rights Act. “Factors including the ban on over-bidding and annual rent reviews are combining to push up rents, compounded by continuing constraints on supply,” he said.
The trend comes as landlords face increased tax burdens, which industry observers suggest may be contributing to supply constraints in the rental market.
Reeve noted that underlying metrics point to a cooler period ahead, though he cautioned that “seasonal predictability has been clouded by a range of impacting factors over the last year, namely the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act.”
The data suggests rental growth remains above inflation but is losing momentum as the market enters its traditionally quieter winter period, with lengthening void periods indicating reduced tenant demand.
