Rightmove’s Q2 2026 Rental Price Tracker says advertised rents rose in both London and Great Britain outside the capital, while competition stayed below its 2022 peak. That means higher prices and fewer enquiries can exist at the same time, so tenants should prepare carefully rather than assume every listing needs an instant decision.

Outside London, the average advertised monthly rent was £1,397, up 1.9% over the quarter and 2.3% over the year. In London, it was £2,791, up 2.0% quarterly and 2.9% annually. Rightmove also said available rental homes were 1% below a year earlier, but that does not by itself prove homes were being snapped up faster.

The average rental home received 10 enquiries, down from 11 a year earlier and 22 at the 2022 peak. That is still above the pre-pandemic average of five, but enquiries are not the same as completed applications or successful tenancies.

The useful takeaway is to set your own rent ceiling first, then compare listings that meet your needs. The article also stresses that these are Great Britain figures from Rightmove’s Q2 2026 snapshot dated 31 July 2026, not an October 2026 price check, and they should not be applied to Northern Ireland.