Landlords in more than half of the local authorities in Great Britain are now seeing average rents exceeding £1,000 per month after five years of rapid growth.
Research from Zoopla shows that 52% of council areas recorded average rents above £1,000 by November 2025, compared with 23% in 2020.
The number of areas above that threshold has more than doubled during the period, increasing from 81 local authorities to 180.
London already sat above the £1,000 mark across every borough five years ago and remains at 100%.
Market favouring renters
Richard Donnell, the executive director at Zoopla, said: "While renting has become more expensive and is an important cost for household budgets, the market is shifting in renters' favour.
"Slower rent growth, increased choice, and more stable outlooks mean cost-of-living pressures from rent are easing rather than intensifying."
He added: "Growing the size of the rental market, both private and affordable homes, is the best route to further reducing the pressure on renters."
More areas breach £1,000 rent
In south east England, the shift to rents breaking the £1,000 mark has seen the number of local authorities being affected rocket from 32 in 2020 to 63 last year.
It has also seen the proportion of councils in that region crossing the threshold jump from 50% to 98% over the same period.
Rents in eastern England have followed a similar trajectory to those in the south east.
In 2020, there were 14 areas recording average rents above £1,000 but last year that figure reached 36, equal to 80% of the region.
Meanwhile, the south west has also seen big change from two areas being above £1,000 in 2020 but reaching 18 by last November.
Regional rent breakdown
Zoopla also highlights that elsewhere the threshold is appearing in markets where none had previously crossed it.
The west Midlands now has eight local authorities above £1,000; Scotland and the east Midlands both have six.
The Yorkshire and the Humber region record two, Wales has three and the north west has four.
However, the north east now has one.
First time over threshold
The data shows that several local authorities have only recently crossed the barrier.
Average rents in Nottingham stand at £1,015, while Leeds records £1,013.
Thanet has reached £1,017, East Devon £1,032 and Stirling in Scotland is now £1,040.
International student drop boosts supply
Meanwhile, separate figures from Zoopla show that rent price growth for newly agreed tenancies has slowed.
It says that rents for new lets rose 1.9% in the year to November 2025.
Supply has also shifted with the number of homes available to rent being 14% higher than a year earlier.
That, the property platform says, is down to lower international migration for work and study.
Plus, improved borrowing conditions for first-time buyers leaving the rental market when they purchase their first home.
Student accommodation sector stable
Simon Thompson, the managing director of Accommodation for Students, said: "For student landlords, the figures highlight how rent levels in many university cities are moving into four-figure territory.
"With average rents in Leeds now at £1,013, and Nottingham reaching £1,015, there will undoubtedly be student landlords contemplating a move into the non-student market."
He added: "However, the pace of rent rises has slowed and is now at the lowest level in four years.
"The supply of rental homes has also increased, though sadly a drop in international student numbers last year has had an impact.
"It does appear that many university markets are entering a more stable phase, with tenants potentially having little more choice when selecting accommodation."
