Average rents are up 2.4% compared to a year ago, the slowest annual increase since 2021

Average rents across the UK have surged by nearly £80 per week over the last five years, adding up to an extra £4,100 annually for renters, according to Zoopla.

The report shows that, despite the increases of the past five years, the pace of rental growth has slowed. Average rents are up 2.4% compared to a year ago, the slowest annual increase since 2021. This marks a sharp contrast to the 5.4% rise seen in 2024. The average monthly rent now stands at £1,300, a £30 increase over the past 12 months.

The £80-per-week jump over five years amounts to £4,100 more each year, making it a “real struggle” for many people to keep up with their rent payments, according to the property site. The report also said that nearly a third of renters rely on housing benefits, which have struggled to keep pace with the cost of renting.

Zoopla’s report shows that the pace of rental growth has slowed across the country, but prices remain high compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Zoopla forecasts that rental growth will stabilise further, with an expected increase of around 3% by the end of 2025. While more homes are becoming available, the overall shortage of affordable housing means that demand for rental properties will likely remain high, keeping prices above pre-pandemic levels.

Rental market conditions are starting to normalise which will be very welcome news to renters, said Richard Donnell, executive director at Zoopla. Lower migration and better mortgage availability for first time buyers are easing the scale of the competition for rented homes.

He added: The affordability of renting remains a key constraint on the pace of future rental inflation and we expect rents to be three per cent higher by the end of the year at an average of £1,320 a month.