New rents rise at fastest pace in nearly two years
Monday 19th October, 2026
New rents across Britain rose 2.7% in the year to September, reaching an average of £1,433 a month—the fastest annual rise in nearly two years.
This gives you a natural voice in the conversation about rental costs and what people looking for a home are facing across the UK.
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Why have we flagged this?
New data shows newly agreed rents are rising at their fastest pace in nearly two years, giving you an opportunity to share Rightmove’s rental market data and explain regional trends for renters and landlords.
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Expert comment
Explain why new-let and existing rents tell different stories
Explain why the 2.7% rise for new lets and 5.6% rise for tenants facing an increase describe different parts of the rental market.
Expert comment angle: Offer your property expert’s explanation to consumer and personal finance desks, focusing on why renters moving home can face a different price picture from those renewing.
Why: The figures look contradictory at first, and a clear explanation would help renters understand what they mean for them.
Expert comment
Challenge the idea of one national rental market
Make the case that rent decisions depend on local conditions, with the South East and South West rising above 4% while the national rate was 2.7%.
Expert comment angle: Ask your property expert to explain to consumer desks how local rent trends can change the cost of moving or staying put.
Why: It gives readers a practical way to make sense of a national average that can hide sharp regional differences.
Data idea
Track how renters’ search budgets are shifting
Show how the share of rental searches capped below £1,433 has changed since last year.
Data to investigate: Analyse your rental search data to compare the share of searches with a maximum monthly budget below £1,433 year on year.
Why: It turns the latest rent figure into a clear picture of the budgets renters are setting.