The UK rental market continued to record steady growth in June 2026.
According to the latest HomeLet Rental Index, the average monthly rent for a new tenancy in the UK reached £1,353. This was an increase of 1% compared with May 2026 and 3.4% compared with June 2025.
Although the headline figure shows that rents are continuing to rise, the market varies considerably between regions. Landlords should therefore consider local demand, property condition, and comparable rental properties before making decisions about rent levels.
Key Rental Market Figures for June 2026
The June 2026 HomeLet Rental Index reported:
- Average UK rent: £1,353 per month
- Monthly change: Up 1%
- Annual change: Up 3.4%
- Average UK rent excluding London: £1,157 per month
- Average London rent: £2,181 per month
- Average Yorkshire and Humberside rent: £940 per month
Excluding London, the average rent increased by 1% during the month and was 2.7% higher than in June 2025. London recorded the highest regional average at £2,181 per month, while the North East remained the most affordable English region, with an average rent of £720.
It is important to remember that HomeLet’s figures relate to newly agreed tenancies, rather than every existing tenancy in the private rented sector.
What Is Happening in Yorkshire and Humberside?
For landlords in Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley, Doncaster and the wider South Yorkshire area, the Yorkshire and Humberside figures provide a more relevant comparison than the national average.
The average rent for a new tenancy in Yorkshire and Humberside reached £940 per month in June 2026. This represented:
- A 0.5% increase from May 2026
- A 2.8% increase from June 2025
- An average monthly increase of approximately £5
These figures suggest that the regional rental market is still growing, but at a more moderate pace than in some other areas of the UK.
However, rental values can differ significantly between neighbourhoods and property types. A one-bedroom flat in Sheffield city centre, for example, cannot be compared directly with a three-bedroom family home in Barnsley or Rotherham.
What Does This Mean for South Yorkshire Landlords?
- Review Your Rent Against the Local Market
The national average of £1,353 is useful for understanding the overall direction of the rental market, but it should not be used as the only basis for setting a property’s rent.
A proper rent review should consider:
- The location of the property
- The number of bedrooms
- The property’s condition
- Furnishings and included facilities
- Local tenant demand
- Similar properties are currently available
- How long has the tenant occupied the property
You can view our currently available rental properties to see examples of rental homes across Sheffield, Barnsley, and the surrounding areas.
- Avoid Increasing Rent Automatically
An increase in the regional average does not necessarily mean that every landlord should immediately raise their tenant’s rent.
A reliable tenant who looks after the property and pays consistently can provide greater long-term value than a higher rent followed by a lengthy void period, additional advertising costs, or repeated tenant-finding expenses.
Landlords should balance current market values against affordability, tenant circumstances, and the potential cost of losing a good tenant.
- Follow the Correct Rent-Increase Process
Landlords in England must follow the current legal process when proposing a rent increase. Government guidance explains that rent generally cannot be increased more than once within a 12-month period under the current assured periodic tenancy rules.
Landlords should also provide the required written notice and ensure that any proposed rent reflects a reasonable open-market rental value. Read the official GOV.UK guidance on rent increases before proceeding.
Professional advice should be obtained where the tenancy type or correct procedure is unclear.
- Consider the Whole Performance of Your Property
Rental income is only one part of a successful property investment.
Landlords should also monitor:
- Maintenance and repair costs
- Tenant retention
- Void periods
- Rent collection
- Compliance requirements
- Insurance and mortgage expenses
- The overall condition of the property
- Long-term capital and rental growth
Keeping a tenant for longer can often be more financially beneficial than regularly changing tenants to achieve a small increase in monthly rent.
How My Landlord Cares Can Help
My Landlord Cares is an independent, family-run property solutions company supporting landlords across South Yorkshire, including Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley, Doncaster and Chesterfield.
Our property management services for landlords include support with:
- Tenant finding and referencing
- Property marketing and viewings
- Rent collection
- Rent reviews and increases
- Compliance management
- Property inspections
- Repairs and maintenance
- Tenant communication
- Deposit administration
- Portfolio reviews
Our tenant-focused approach is designed to help tenants settle into their homes, encourage positive communication and reduce avoidable void periods for landlords.
You can also review our transparent property management pricing to find the right level of support for your property or portfolio.
Final Thoughts
The June 2026 HomeLet Rental Index shows that the UK rental market remains resilient, with average new-tenancy rents continuing to rise nationally and across Yorkshire and Humberside.
For landlords, however, the right decision is not always simply to charge the highest possible rent. Sustainable property management means setting a fair market rent, maintaining the property properly, following the correct legal procedures, and building positive, long-term tenant relationships.
Are you considering a rent review or looking for help managing your South Yorkshire property?
Contact My Landlord Cares to discuss how we can support you and your tenants.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the average UK rent in June 2026?
The average rent for a newly agreed UK tenancy was £1,353 per month in June 2026. This was 1% higher than in May 2026 and 3.4% higher than in June 2025.
What was the average rent in Yorkshire and Humberside?
HomeLet reported an average new-tenancy rent of £940 per month for Yorkshire and Humberside in June 2026. This represented annual growth of 2.8%.
Should landlords increase their rent in 2026?
Landlords should review local comparable properties, tenant affordability, property condition, and current legal requirements before proposing an increase. National rental figures should be treated as market context rather than an automatic reason to increase rent.
Can My Landlord Cares assist with rent reviews?
Yes. My Landlord Cares supports landlords with rental market reviews, tenant communication, rent increases, compliance, rent collection, and full property management.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal, financial or investment advice. Rental averages vary according to location, property size, condition, and tenant demand. Landlords should obtain professional advice before changing a tenancy or increasing rent.