New research from SpareRoom indicates that average UK room rents have reached a record high of £769 per month. Rents have hit record levels in seven of the UK's nine regions, while supply levels across England have decreased.
Following the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act in England in May, UK room rental supply fell by 4.7% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2026. Matt Hutchinson, director at flatshare site SpareRoom, suggests the Act has led landlords to exit the market.
Inner London has seen average monthly room rents exceed £1,000. In South West England, room rents have reached record levels at £689, experiencing the largest year-on-year rise of 2.3%. East London, however, has the lowest average room rent at £958 per month and the smallest year-on-year increases.
The most expensive London postcode is SW7 (South Kensington and Knightsbridge), with an average monthly room rent of £1,682. This is more than double the cheapest postcode, E12 Manor Park, where the average is £752 per month.
Northern Ireland saw the biggest year-on-year rent rise in Q3, increasing by 7%, with Belfast experiencing a 6.8% rise.