The key figures on the UK private rented sector in one place: rents, landlord numbers, possession claims, energy ratings, HMOs and deposits. Every figure comes from an official primary source and links straight to it.
Average monthly private rent, UK
£1,400
+3.8% on a year earlier
United Kingdom · August 2026
Private rented households in England
4.7 million
19% of all households
England · 2024-25
Landlord possession claims
23,635
+6% on a year earlier
England and Wales · April to June 2026
Private rented homes rated EPC band A to C
50.9%
Up from 25.3% in 2014
England · 2024
How many households rent privately, and who the landlords are.
4.7 million
19% of all households
In 2024-25, 4.7 million households in England rented privately, 19% of all households.
The sector has doubled in size since the early 2000s but has stayed at around 19% to 20% of households since 2013-14.
19%
19% of all UK households rented privately in the year ending March 2024.
From the Family Resources Survey, as reported by ONS.
2.4 million
2.4 million landlords in England declared income from renting property in the 2022-23 tax year.
An HMRC figure, as reported in the English Private Landlord Survey.
45%
21% of tenancies
45% of landlords in England own one rental property, accounting for 21% of tenancies.
Survey of landlords who register deposits themselves rather than through an agent.
6%
Up from 4% in 2018
6% of landlords in England operate as part of a company, up from 4% in 2018.
Survey of landlords who register deposits themselves rather than through an agent.
15 December 2026
All letting landlords registered by 14 November 2027
England's Private Rented Sector Database launches on 15 December 2026, and all landlords actively letting property must register by 14 November 2027.
The launch starts in the West Midlands and extends to other areas over 12 months.
Average monthly rents from the ONS Price Index of Private Rents. The latest two months are provisional.
£1,400
+3.8% on a year earlier
The average monthly private rent in the UK was £1,400 in August 2026, up 3.8% on a year earlier.
Provisional. Includes an ONS estimate for Northern Ireland for July and August 2026.
£1,459
+4.0% on a year earlier
The average monthly private rent in England was £1,459 in August 2026, up 4.0% on a year earlier.
Provisional.
£846
+4.3% on a year earlier
The average monthly private rent in Wales was £846 in August 2026, up 4.3% on a year earlier.
Provisional.
£1,013
+1.1% on a year earlier
The average monthly private rent in Scotland was £1,013 in August 2026, up 1.1% on a year earlier.
Provisional. Scottish data have historically been mostly advertised new lets.
£874
+1.6% on a year earlier
The average monthly private rent in Northern Ireland was £874 in June 2026, up 1.6% on a year earlier.
Northern Ireland figures run two months behind the rest of the UK and cover advertised new lets only.
£2,332
+3.5% on a year earlier
London had the highest average monthly private rent of any English region in August 2026, at £2,332, up 3.5% on a year earlier.
Provisional.
£788
+5.8% on a year earlier
The North East had the lowest average monthly private rent of any English region in August 2026, at £788, up 5.8% on a year earlier.
Provisional. The North East and North West shared the highest annual rent growth of any English region.
Landlord possession activity in the county courts of England and Wales. The latest quarter is provisional.
23,635
+6% on a year earlier
Landlords made 23,635 possession claims in England and Wales between April and June 2026, up 6% on the same quarter of 2025.
Claims peaked at 25,402 in July to September 2024.
8,569
+16% on a year earlier
There were 8,569 accelerated landlord possession claims in England and Wales between April and June 2026, up 16% on a year earlier.
The Ministry of Justice says it is not yet clear whether changes in claims can be attributed to the Renters' Rights Act.
6,560
-3% on a year earlier
County court bailiffs carried out 6,560 landlord repossessions in England and Wales between April and June 2026, down 3% on a year earlier.
Counts bailiff repossessions only, not tenants who leave before enforcement.
27.1 weeks
Down from 27.9 weeks a year earlier
The median time from a landlord possession claim to repossession in England and Wales was 27.1 weeks in April to June 2026, down from 27.9 weeks a year earlier.
Provisional.
Ended 1 May 2026
Landlords in England cannot issue section 21 notices for existing or new tenancies from 1 May 2026.
Court claims based on notices served before 1 May 2026 had to be made by 31 July 2026 at the latest.
Energy efficiency, housing quality, HMOs and tenancy deposits.
50.9%
Up from 25.3% in 2014
In 2024, 50.9% of private rented homes in England had an energy efficiency rating of band A to C, up from 25.3% in 2014.
Modelled ratings from English Housing Survey inspections, not lodged EPC certificates. 2.9% were rated F or G.
1 October 2030
Spending capped at £10,000 per property
Private landlords of all tenancies will be required to meet the higher energy performance standard by 1 October 2030, investing up to £10,000 per property.
Confirmed policy. The government intends the amending regulations to come into force in 2027; until then the existing EPC E minimum applies.
10%
Down from 12% in 2022
In 2024, 10% of private rented homes in England had a Category 1 hazard under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, down from 12% in 2022.
The 2024 private rented and owner-occupied rates are not statistically different.
458,855
95,217 with mandatory HMO licences
Councils estimate there were 458,855 HMOs in England in 2024-25, of which 95,217 held mandatory HMO licences.
Council estimates. Only mandatory licences are counted, not additional or selective licences.
4.7 million
£5.53 billion held; average £1,175
There were 4,706,470 protected tenancy deposits in England and Wales in March 2025, worth £5.53 billion in total, an average of £1,175 each.
Published by the TDS scheme from freedom of information data, not a government statistic.
Every figure on this page is taken from an official primary source: the Office for National Statistics, government departments, or, where no government series exists, a government-authorised deposit scheme's own published data. Each one was checked against its source by a person before publication.
Figures are shown as their publisher reports them, including the reference period and the area they cover, which differs between sources. Provisional and modelled figures are labelled, and estimates are described as estimates.
We review this page whenever a source publishes new figures. The next scheduled change is the ONS rents release on .
You are welcome to cite any figure. Please link to this page or to the original source.
Office for National Statistics · Published · Next update 21 October 2026
Office for National Statistics · Published
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government · Published
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government · Published
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government · Published
Ministry of Justice · Published · Next update 12 November 2026
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government · Published
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government · Published
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero · Published
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government · Published
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government · Published · Next update January or February 2027
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