The British rental market has seen some interesting shifts
over the past year, with some regions experiencing rapid growth in rents, while
others have levelled off or even dipped. For landlords in Northampton,
understanding these trends isn’t just about keeping an eye on the regional
picture—it’s about recognising where our market fits into the wider landscape.
Perhaps the biggest surprise is London, where
average rents have actually fallen by 3.1%. Given how relentlessly
the capital has pushed upwards in recent years, this is a rare shift. However,
it’s worth noting that London’s rental market operates very differently from
the rest of the UK, and this could be a temporary readjustment rather than a
long-term trend.
At the other end of the scale, the North East has
seen rents soar by 11.9%, followed closely by Yorkshire
& Humber (7.4%) and the North West (6.9%). This isn’t
a sign that these areas are suddenly outperforming everywhere else—rather, it’s
a case of them catching up after years of slower growth. Meanwhile, areas like
the South East, East Anglia, and the Midlands, where we’ve already
seen strong increases over recent years, are now showing more moderate growth.
Here’s how rents have changed across the UK over the past 12
months:
- North
East – Up 11.9%
- Yorkshire
& Humber – Up 7.4%
- North
West – Up 6.9%
- Northern
Ireland – Up 6.3%
- Scotland –
Up 5.2%
- East
Midlands – Up 4.7%
- South
West – Up 3.5%
- East
Anglia – Up 2.9%
- South
East – Up 0.4%
- Wales –
Down 0.2%
- West
Midlands – Down 0.6%
- London –
Down 3.1%
For Northampton landlords, the key takeaway is that regional
trends will have a knock on effect for the local rental market. The supply,
demand, and affordability of rental properties all play a role, and
understanding where our market sits in the bigger picture helps in making
informed decisions for the months ahead.
If you are a Northampton landlord and want to pick my brains
on the future of the Northampton property market, feel free to drop me a line
at northampton@belvoir.co.uk.
