Average rents in London have crossed the symbolic threshold of £1,000 per month, according to data reported by Bankier.pl. At the start of 2026, the average stood at £970, but prices have continued climbing as landlords withdraw properties from the market in response to government reforms designed to protect tenants.
The number of rental listings has dropped by more than 7 per cent compared to the previous year. For the first time since 2023, rents for individual rooms in London have also risen, a shift attributed directly to shrinking supply caused by the reform package.
New tenant protections reshape the market
The changes introduced under the Renters’ Reform Act have fundamentally altered the legal landscape for landlords. Property owners can no longer offer fixed-term tenancy agreements and are restricted to raising rent just once a year. The legislation has also abolished so-called “no fault evictions”, which previously allowed landlords to end tenancies without giving a reason.
In addition, the government has enabled tenants to challenge rental prices that do not reflect market rates, effectively banning bidding wars for properties.
Matt Hutchinson of SpareRoom told The Telegraph that the act has deterred many landlords. “Some believe the investment opportunities are no longer worth the effort required to meet legal requirements,” he said, according to the report.
Estate agents call it the “craziest market in 30 years”
Estate agents in the UK now describe the rental market as the most volatile they have seen in three decades. Properties are being listed at the upper end of price ranges, making it significantly harder for people on average incomes to find affordable accommodation.
Data from September show that the average rent for a flat in London hit a record high during the second quarter of this year, reaching £2,791 per month—a 2 per cent increase since January. Outside the capital, rents also climbed by 1.9 per cent to an average of £1,397 per month between April and June.
Despite the Labour government’s stated aim of restoring affordable housing for Britons, little progress is visible so far. The sales market has also stalled: properties in London have stopped selling, and developers are scaling back construction plans. In one high-profile example, exclusive Georgian-style residences with private gardens in Knightsbridge’s Montpelier Square remain unsold despite price cuts, illustrating what experts describe as a microcosm of the broader problems facing Britain’s property market.
What this means for Poles in the UK
For Polish renters in London and across the UK, the rise in average rents means tighter household budgets and increased competition for fewer available properties. If you are searching for accommodation, be prepared for landlords to list at higher price points and for fewer options on the market compared to last year.
However, the new Renters’ Reform Act does offer important protections. You can no longer be evicted without cause, and your landlord is restricted to one rent increase per year. If you believe your rent does not reflect market rates, you now have the legal right to challenge it. Familiarise yourself with these rights through official guidance on gov.uk or organisations such as Shelter or Citizens Advice.
If you are renting a room rather than a whole flat, be aware that room rents are rising for the first time in over a year, driven by reduced supply. Start your search early, budget realistically, and consider areas outside central London where rents remain comparatively lower. With the average London rent now over £1,000 and the broader UK average nearing £1,400, planning ahead is more crucial than ever.
