Rental prices across the UK, including London, have reached record highs in 2025, driven by rising demand amidst constrained supply and legislative uncertainties, highlighting ongoing challenges for tenants and investors alike.
The average advertised monthly rent in Britain, excluding London, surged to a record high of £1,385 in the third quarter of 2025, marking a 3.1% increase compared to the same period last year, according to property website Rightmove. In London, rental prices also hit a new peak, with the typical rent reaching £2,736, up 1.6% year-on-year. This continuing upward trajectory highlights the escalating pressures on the rental market across the UK.
Despite the rise in rents, the supply of rental homes saw a modest improvement. The number of available properties to rent was 9% higher than a year ago, although it remains 23% lower than in 2019, before the pandemic altered housing dynamics. Rightmove noted that this level of supply is the closest the market has come to pre-pandemic norms in the past four years, though overall availability remains restrained.
The rental market environment remains challenged by a combination of high mortgage costs and significant legislative uncertainties. The impending Renters’ Rights Bill and anticipated measures in the forthcoming autumn Budget contribute to a cautious atmosphere for landlords. Colleen Babcock, a property expert at Rightmove, highlighted that these factors complicate investment decisions, as landlords seek to ensure purchases remain financially viable amid regulatory ambiguity.
Daniel Fisher, head of lettings at John D Wood & Co, corroborated this view, describing the market as slower and more cautious due to limited capital growth and shifting tax rules. Nevertheless, he noted that these conditions carve out opportunities for well-capitalised landlords to expand their portfolios, as others may exit the market. This shifting landscape could also benefit tenants by broadening the choice of available homes.
The rise in rents contrasts with a previous trend noted in the fourth quarter of 2024 when Rightmove recorded a slight quarterly dip in rents outside London, marking the first decrease since 2019. However, by 2025, rents rebounded strongly, indicating renewed upward momentum despite earlier signs of market cooling. In London, rents have steadily climbed, with advertised prices continuing to set new records, further reflecting the persistent demand pressures in the capital.
Overall, the UK rental market in 2025 remains characterised by increasing costs for tenants alongside constrained and cautiously supplied options for renters. The interplay of high mortgage costs, complex legislative prospects, and cautious investor behaviour shapes a challenging yet dynamic market environment that demands close attention from both policymakers and industry stakeholders.
📌 Reference Map:
- Paragraph 1 – [1] Irish News, [2] Evening Standard, [3] ITV News
- Paragraph 2 – [1] Irish News, [2] Evening Standard, [3] ITV News
- Paragraph 3 – [1] Irish News, [4] LBC
- Paragraph 4 – [1] Irish News
- Paragraph 5 – [7] Sharecast, [1] Irish News
- Paragraph 6 – [1] Irish News, [2] Evening Standard, [3] ITV News
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative presents recent data from the third quarter of 2025, with no evidence of prior publication. The earliest known publication date of similar content is July 28, 2025, reporting on record high rents in the second quarter of 2025. ([itv.com](https://www.itv.com/news/2025-07-28/record-high-rents-as-tenants-pay-400-more-per-month-than-five-years-ago-index?utm_source=openai)) This indicates that the current report provides the most up-to-date information. Additionally, the report is based on a press release from Rightmove, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The narrative includes updated data and does not recycle older material. No similar content has appeared more than 7 days earlier. The inclusion of updated data justifies a higher freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes from Colleen Babcock, a property expert at Rightmove, and Daniel Fisher, head of lettings at John D Wood & Co. These quotes are unique to this report, with no identical matches found in earlier material. No variations in wording were noted, and no earlier usage of these quotes was identified. This suggests the content is potentially original or exclusive.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Irish News, a reputable organisation known for its journalistic standards. The report is based on a press release from Rightmove, a leading property website, which adds credibility to the information presented. No unverifiable entities or fabricated information were identified.
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims regarding record-high rents and the factors influencing the rental market are consistent with recent data from Rightmove and other reputable sources. The narrative aligns with previous reports, such as the one from July 28, 2025, highlighting record-high rents and the impact of supply and demand on the market. ([itv.com](https://www.itv.com/news/2025-07-28/record-high-rents-as-tenants-pay-400-more-per-month-than-five-years-ago-index?utm_source=openai)) The language and tone are appropriate for the topic and region, with no inconsistencies noted. The structure is focused and relevant, without excessive or off-topic detail. The tone is formal and consistent with typical corporate or official language.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative presents fresh, original content from a reputable source, with no evidence of disinformation or significant credibility risks. The information aligns with recent data and reports, and the quotes are unique to this report. The source's reliability and the plausibility of the claims further support the assessment.
