Rent inflation remained muted across England in March with a year-on-year rise of 2.4%, up slightly from February's 2% but below the 4.6% recorded in March 2025.
That's according to the Goodlord Rental Index which also reveals that average rents were £1,212 for the month, compared with £1,184 a year earlier.
It says rents climbed 0.8% month-on-month from £1,203 in February, rising by less than £10.
Spike in gazundering
The platform's chief executive, William Reeve, said: "The latest figures will be welcomed by tenants, who continue to see wage growth outstrip rental inflation and rents rising less quickly than other consumer prices.
"Whilst minimal month-on-month changes are to be expected at this time of year, the year-on-year figures give a clear picture of a market that has significantly cooled in recent months."
He added: "However, there's a possibility that what we're witnessing is the calm before the storm.
"With the implementation of the Renters' Rights Act, the new legislation could see a spike in gazundering, tenants giving notice, and landlords increasing rents.
"In a few months, this market picture could look very different indeed."
Actual rents measured
Goodlord's figures draw on thousands of verified tenancy agreements and reflect actual signed contracts rather than advertised asking prices.
Rents in the North of England continued to outpace other areas on an annual basis.
Yorkshire and the Humber recorded the highest annual increase at 6.6%, and then it was the North West on 6.3% and the North East on 5.9%.
No other region exceeded 2.8%.
Rents in the East of England fell 2.6%, and the South West dropped 0.3%.
Month-on-month movements showed more variation with Yorkshire and the Humber posting the largest rise at 3.2%, taking average rents from £930 to £959.
In the North West, rents fell 2.7% to £1,066 after a strong February.
The firm also says that voids across England held steady at 22 days, the same figure seen in February.
The East of England turned properties round the quickest at 16 days, but voids in the North East grew to 26 days and the South West to 21 days.
HomeLet says rents up
Meanwhile, the HomeLet Rental Index reveals that average UK rents also grew by 0.8% to reach £1,311 in March. That’s up from February’s £1,301.
Rents stand 1.8% more than in March last year, when the average was £1,288.
Outside London, average rents climbed by £5 to £1,125, or 0.4%, which is 1.6% above the level seen in March 2025.
Where rents rose
In London, rents rose 1.5% since February to £2,097 following four successive monthly falls and is 1.7% more than in March 2025.
Just eight regions recorded a monthly increase while four saw a decrease.
Kate Wenham, the firm’s customer development team leader, said: "After several months where rents either dipped slightly or stood still, March's data shows the first clear uptick since October.
"We're still experiencing a market where tenants must be conscious of price."
She added: "Affordability pressures haven't eased, but both landlords and renters appear to be adjusting to a new normal, with smaller, more measured rent increases rather than the sharp rises we've seen in the past."
Tenant demand growing
Simon Thompson, the managing director of Accommodation for Students, said: "We have two respected rent price indices highlighting that rents in March went up by 0.8%.
"One of them says that's the first rise following several stagnant months, though prices are still 2.5% below last autumn's high point."
He added: "There's a lot to consider for landlords as some sell up and tenant demand continues to grow.
"Plus, the sector is waiting to see what impact May's implementation of the Renters' Rights Act brings which could see more landlords quitting and rents going up."




