The UK Office for National Statistics (ONS), in a bulletin published on 16 September, said average private rents increased 3.8% in the 12 months to August 2026, bringing the monthly UK average to £1,400. That was £52 above the level a year earlier. Annual rent inflation accelerated from 3.7% in July and reached its highest rate since December 2025. The ONS said the rise was mainly linked to London’s annual rent inflation reaching its highest rate since October 2025. Average rent was £1,459 in England, £846 in Wales and £1,013 in Scotland. Northern Ireland’s latest figure was £874, for June.

Rental movements varied across the UK. In England, annual private-rent inflation was highest in the North East and North West, at 5.8%, and lowest in the South East, at 3.0%. The ONS described the UK rent estimates for July and August as provisional and subject to its two-month revision policy. Northern Ireland data were not yet available for August, so the UK total used an estimate based on the average inflation rate over that country’s latest two months. The office also advises caution when comparing Scotland and Northern Ireland with other UK countries because of differences in data collection.

The same release reported house prices for an earlier reference month. The average UK house price was £273,000 in July 2026, up 1.4% over the year. Annual growth had been revised to 1.5% in June, so the UK rate slowed for a third consecutive month. Average prices were £293,000 in England, £215,000 in Wales and £196,000 in Scotland. Rent estimates use the Price Index of Private Rents, which covers new and existing private tenancies; house-price figures use the UK House Price Index. The series cover different markets and reference periods. Their appearance in one bulletin does not make them a single combined measure of housing costs.