Average UK rents have risen to almost £1,000 per month – £62 more than at the start of the pandemic, according to Zoopla figures.

The portal’s quarterly Rental Market Report shows soaring rents against a backdrop of increased living costs squeezing households.

UK rents squeeze disposable household income

Zoopla data shows the UK’s average rental growth has reached a 13-year high – up 8.3% in Q4 2021. This means households who agree new lets are now having to pay an additional average annual cost of £744, compared to the start of the pandemic (March 2020).

The rise means that a single earner can now expect to spend 37% of their gross income on rent, which is up from 34% during most of 2021. However, the figures align with the longer-term average of 36% as rental growth rises in line with wage growth.

Thanks to the decline in rents seen in some areas during the pandemic, the overall increase in UK rents over the last five years totals 12%.

Demand creates fast-paced rental landscape

Demand for rental property rose 76% in January compared to the New Year markets between 2018 and 2021. Yet, figures show the supply of rental properties recorded in January 2022 in the UK is 39% below levels typically observed at the start of the year.

With the imbalance of supply and demand ultimately spurring rental growth, properties are being snapped up. In London, this means renters are having to move quickly to secure the perfect property with the time to let now averaging a fortnight, down from three weeks in late 2020. 

This shrinking stock of homes for rent can be attributed to a continued decrease in buy-to-let investment over the last five years. As rents rise, more renters will be choosing to stay in their properties, limiting stock turnover.

With supply squeezed, it’s likely that continued demand will underpin more modest rental growth in the coming months, especially in city centres. However, as the spike in demand falls back – hampered by the increases in household costs –  it will reduce pressure on supply, ultimately driving more local competition to attract renters in local markets. 

City centre rents continue upward growth trajectory 

Pandemic trends saw strong growth in rental demand in wider commuter zones as renters embraced the ‘search for space’. But demand has now recovered across all major cities including Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds and Manchester in a reversal of recent behaviour.

This is largely driven by pent up demand from office workers, students, and international residents and investors who are looking for city-centre living.

This is a stabilisation of rental behaviour as demand once again rises in more central zones – seen most prominently in inner London with rental growth of 11% compared to the same time last year. But given the fall in London rents during the pandemic, this translates to an increase of just £18 per month in rent compared to March 2020.

Gráinne Gilmore, head of research at Zoopla, comments: “Rents have risen sharply in recent months, amid a backdrop of rising living costs. But it is important to point out that in terms of rental affordability, in most markets rents are still close to the 10-year average. As demand continues to outpace supply, there will be further upward pressure on rents, but affordability considerations will act as a brake on large rises.”

“In addition, the January peak in rental demand will start to ease in the coming months, putting less severe pressure on supply, which will lead to more local market competition, and more modest rental increases.”