London rents higher than before the pandemic 

London rents higher than before the

pandemic 

Every UK region has seen annual rent increases, with London rents up a massive 13%

• Every UK region saw annual room rent increases in February 2022, with Northern Ireland seeing the biggest rise (up 14%) followed closely by London, with rent increases on this scale not seen since pre pandemic times (up 13%)
• Every London region was up by double digits – West Central and East Central were both up 26%
• Rents are going up at a time when the UK is experiencing significant increases in the cost of living, set to be the worst financial squeeze in 60 years*
• Rents may be up but supply is still down across the UK, comparing February 2022 with February 2021 London supply is down by 53%, the biggest drop across all UK regions

March 14th 2022 – New data by flatsharing site SpareRoom reveals all UK regions experienced year on year (YOY) room rent increases in February 2022, with London seeing the biggest increases since before the pandemic began. London average room rents now stand at £796  per month, having reached lows of £703 (March 2021) during the pandemic.**

All London regions have experienced annual room rent increases, with the most central areas seeing the biggest change – West Central and East Central London were both up a huge 26% comparing February 2022 with February 2021. When we look at postcode level, W1 (West End / Soho) is up 33%, followed by NW8 (St John’s Wood) and SW1 (Westminster / Belgravia / Pimlico) both up 31%.

Rents may be up but supply is still down across the UK YOY (-32%), comparing February 2022 with 2021 London supply is down by 53%, the biggest drop across all UK regions. This in part will be down to trust in the market, 42% of London landlords still don’t have confidence in the rental market. Of these London landlords, 20% plan to leave the rental market and 11% plan to reduce their portfolio.*** 

Across the UK as a whole, room rents were up 4% YOY with none of the UK’s 50 largest towns/cities experiencing a rent drop. Sunderland saw the biggest increases (up 23%), followed by Belfast and Glasgow (both up 17%). 

These rent increases are happening at a time when bills are on the up, with the UK set to experience the biggest financial squeeze in 60 years.

Matt Hutchinson, SpareRoom director comments:

“London saw rents drop by unprecedented amounts over the course of the pandemic. However, with demand increasing at the end of 2021, and continuing to grow at the start of 2022, we’re seeing those rents rise again, in some cases by significant amounts. 

That’s going to hit renters hard. Almost a third of Londoners already spend over half their take home pay on rent. With a cost of living crisis ramping up as we speak, and set to deepen over the coming months, many renters will be worried about making ends meet.”