Private rents have risen across most of London, but tenants in two boroughs have seen average costs fall over the past year. It cost £2,332 to rent the average non-social home in the capital in the year to August 2026, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures.
That’s an increase of 3.5% compared to a year ago. That’s less than both the England average of 4.0% and the UK average of 3.8%. Some parts of the city, however, have seen rents grow more than others.
Islington recorded the capital’s biggest annual increase, with the average monthly private rent reaching £2,868 in August. That was 6.2% higher than a year earlier.
Greenwich was close behind with a 6.1% rise, taking its average rent to £1,995 a month. Southwark and Merton both recorded increases of 5.4%, with monthly rents averaging £2,474 and £2,172 respectively. In Enfield prices were up by 5.1%, in Richmond upon Thames by 4.4% and in Wandsworth by 4.2%.
Two boroughs have seen prices fall over the last 12 months. Average private rents in Westminster were £3,196 a month in the year to August. That’s 0.6% less than a year ago. In Kingston upon Thames, meanwhile, prices fell by 1.2% to an average of £1,811.
You can see how rents have changed in your local area by using our interactive map:
Kensington and Chelsea remained London’s most expensive borough for private renters, with an average monthly bill of £3,690 — up 2.1% from a year earlier. Westminster was still the next most expensive, despite the annual fall, at £3,196. The next most expensive boroughs were Islington at £2,868, Hammersmith and Fulham at £2,825, and Camden at £2,819.
Bexley had the lowest average monthly rent at £1,537, following an annual rise of 1.6%. Sutton was next at £1,556, followed by Havering at £1,565, Hillingdon at £1,570 and Croydon at £1,582.
