Private rents across London rose by 3.5% in the year to August 2026, reaching an average of £2,332 per month for non-social homes, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This increase was lower than both the England average of 4.0% and the UK average of 3.8%. However, rental trends varied significantly across the capital, with two boroughs recording annual declines.
Islington and Greenwich lead rental increases
Islington saw the largest annual rise among London boroughs, with average monthly rents climbing 6.2% to £2,868 in August. Greenwich followed closely with a 6.1% increase, bringing its average rent to £1,995 per month. Southwark and Merton both recorded 5.4% rises, with average rents of £2,474 and £2,172 respectively.
Other notable increases included Enfield, where rents rose 5.1%, Richmond upon Thames with a 4.4% rise, and Wandsworth with a 4.2% increase. These figures highlight the uneven nature of rent growth across the capital, with some areas experiencing significantly higher pressure than others.
Westminster and Kingston see rent declines
Two boroughs bucked the trend with falling rents. Westminster recorded an average monthly rent of £3,196 in the year to August, a 0.6% decrease from the previous year. Kingston upon Thames saw a larger decline of 1.2%, bringing its average rent to £1,811 per month.
Despite the annual fall, Westminster remained the second most expensive borough for renters in London. Kensington and Chelsea continued to hold the top spot, with an average monthly rent of £3,690, up 2.1% from a year earlier. Following Westminster were Islington at £2,868, Hammersmith and Fulham at £2,825, and Camden at £2,819.
Bexley offers most affordable rents
At the other end of the scale, Bexley had the lowest average monthly rent in London 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.
The ONS data provides a detailed picture of rental market conditions across London, showing that while overall growth remains moderate, certain boroughs are experiencing sharper increases. Renters in Westminster and Kingston upon Thames have seen some relief, while those in Islington and Greenwich face steeper costs. These figures are based on average rents for non-social housing, offering a snapshot of the private rental market in the capital.
