Rent tops £1,000 a month in more areas – find out where

Renters across Britain are now facing an average cost of at least £1,000 a month for a new tenancy in more than half of all local authority areas, according to concerning new data from property portal Zoopla, shared exclusively with the BBC. This marks a significant and rapid expansion of high-cost rental zones, fundamentally reshaping the housing landscape for millions.

Just five years ago, in 2020, only 23% of Britain’s local authority areas saw average rents cross the £1,000 threshold. By 2025, that figure had more than doubled to 52%, illustrating a dramatic shift where what was once the exception has become the norm for a substantial portion of the country. While average wages have seen increases over the same period, the soaring cost of accommodation means many tenants report that renting has become increasingly unaffordable, pushing household budgets to their limits.

The rapid escalation in rental prices is largely attributed to a post-pandemic surge. When Covid-19 restrictions eased, a combination of pent-up demand, a return to urban centres, and a dwindling supply of available rental properties created a perfect storm. Zoopla calculates that average rents have rocketed by 36% between 2020 and 2025. This sharp increase has intensified the broader cost-of-living crisis, particularly impacting individuals and families who either choose to rent or are unable to afford to buy a home in the current market.

Geographically, the expansion of the £1,000-a-month rental zone has principally radiated outwards from London and the South East, gradually encompassing more of Southern England and major urban centres across the country. What began as a concentrated issue in the capital has now spread its influence, making average rents of more than £1,000 a common feature rather than a rarity in many areas. While the article notes that an interactive graphic would typically show this spread, the trend clearly indicates a deepening affordability challenge across a wider swathe of Britain, extending into the Midlands, parts of the North West, and even into Scotland and Wales. It’s important to note that these average rent figures are nominal, meaning they do not account for inflation, implying that the real-terms affordability crisis for many renters could be even more acute when considering the eroded purchasing power of their incomes.

Despite the dire figures, Zoopla’s data does offer a glimmer of hope, suggesting that the pace of rent rises has begun to slow sharply in recent months. However, for many, this moderation comes after years of relentless increases, and the fundamental problem of high rental costs persists, particularly in areas grappling with a severe shortage of available properties.

One person experiencing the sharp end of this crisis is Victoria Fear, a 51-year-old nurse from Dumfries and Galloway. She reached out to the BBC’s Your Voice initiative to highlight the dire situation in her region, where available rental properties are not just expensive but "extremely scarce." Victoria, a single mother of three, has lived in her current home for eight years. Her landlord recently informed her that her monthly rent would increase from £950 to £1,300 – a significant jump of nearly 37%. "All my money goes on rent, bills and food," she explained, revealing the harsh reality faced by many households. "We’ve not had a holiday in years."

Victoria understands her landlord’s perspective, acknowledging that market forces and rising costs likely play a role in their decision. However, as a single-income household supporting three children, two of whom are preparing for exams, she finds the new rent "not an affordable proposition." Her story underscores the difficult choices and immense stress many renters face, caught between understanding economic pressures and the struggle to maintain a stable home. The scarcity of properties in more rural or less densely populated areas like Dumfries and Galloway can be exacerbated by factors such as a lack of new housing development, increased demand from city dwellers seeking more space, or even the conversion of long-term rentals into holiday lets.

The Scottish rental market has seen specific interventions. Temporary rent controls were introduced during the Covid pandemic to protect tenants, but these measures expired in April 2025. Looking ahead, new long-term measures are planned, which will allow Scottish ministers to designate specific parts of the country as rent control areas by 2027. This legislative move reflects a political recognition of the ongoing affordability crisis and an attempt to balance tenant protection with landlord viability, a debate that continues across the UK.

The impact of prohibitively high rents extends beyond individual finances, creating broader demographic shifts within the rental market. According to Spareroom.com, a leading flat-share website, people are being forced to live in flat shares later in life and for longer periods. A decade ago, under-25s constituted almost a third (32%) of the flat share market; today, that figure has dropped to just over a quarter (26%). Conversely, renters aged 45 and over now account for 16% of the market, a notable increase from 10% in 2015. This trend points to the rise of "multi-generational house shares," where individuals of vastly different ages and life stages find themselves cohabiting due to financial necessity. This shift has implications for social dynamics, personal independence, and the traditional milestones of adulthood, such as starting a family or buying a first home, which are increasingly delayed or out of reach.

While the market shows signs of moderation for new tenancies, landlords themselves warn of ongoing cost pressures that could keep upward pressure on rents. Chris Norris, chief policy officer at the National Residential Landlords’ Association (NRLA), highlighted several factors contributing to landlords’ rising expenses. He noted that some landlords are reportedly adding 4% to 5% to rents as a "future-proofing" measure, anticipating significant changes under the forthcoming Renters’ Rights Act in England. This legislation, aimed at improving tenant security and property standards, includes reforms such as ending ‘no-fault’ evictions and strengthening tenants’ rights regarding property conditions.

Beyond regulatory changes, landlords with older properties face substantial investment requirements to meet new energy efficiency rules (EPC ratings). This often involves costly upgrades to insulation, heating systems, and windows. Furthermore, changes to income tax on rental income, such as the phasing out of mortgage interest relief for individual landlords and an anticipated increase in income tax in 2027, add further financial strain. These cumulative pressures, Norris argues, can lead to landlords either increasing rents or, in some cases, selling off their properties entirely, which further constricts the already tight supply of rental homes and exacerbates the affordability crisis.

Despite these warnings, Richard Donnell, executive director at Zoopla, maintains a cautiously optimistic outlook for renters. He forecasts that rents are expected to rise by a more modest 2% to 3% over 2026. "While renting has become more expensive and is an important cost for household budgets, the market is shifting in renters’ favour," he stated. "Cost-of-living pressures from rent are easing rather than intensifying." This suggests that while rents will continue to climb, the astronomical rates of increase seen immediately post-pandemic may be behind us.

In conclusion, the journey of average rents surpassing £1,000 a month in over half of British neighbourhoods represents a stark transformation of the housing market. It’s a complex narrative of soaring post-pandemic demand, constrained supply, evolving demographics, and the intricate interplay of tenant affordability and landlord costs. While there are glimmers of hope with the slowing pace of rental inflation, the underlying challenges of housing scarcity and persistent unaffordability remain. The experiences of individuals like Victoria Fear underscore the urgent need for continued policy discussions and interventions to ensure that a safe and affordable home remains within reach for all across the UK.