
A new report by Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward (KFH) one of London’s leading lettings and sales agencies, reveals the average London rent reached £2,418 per calendar month (pcm) over Summer 2026 – 76% above the UK average of £1,369pcm.
Elephant & Castle remains one of the Capital’s strongest-performing lettings markets. New-build developments are achieving record rents amid sustained demand from overseas renters, students and young professionals. The report also reveals that one-bedroom garden flats in Clapham and Balham are proving popular with renters, and competition for such housing remains strong.
Data from Goodlord reveals the average age of renters in London is now 30 years old – just below the UK average of 31.5.
The lettings market is seeing demand evolve as expectations rise. As the Renters’ Rights Act (RRA) regulation continues to bed in, and periodic tenancies become the norm, the strategic landlord is shifting from agreeing a tenant quickly to securing the right tenant for the long term. Data from Goodlord reveals that London has the largest volume of tenancies created in the last year –an increase of 46% from the previous year.
The report highlights that first-time buyer activity in the sales market has strengthened in areas such as Canada Water and Streatham, with early indications of investor demand returning. Family homes in sought-after school catchments including Wandsworth and Putney are also selling quickly in the current market.
John Ennis, Chief Revenue Officer, KFH, said: “London remains one of the most competitive rental markets in the UK, with demand continuing to outpace supply in many parts of the capital and average rent sitting 76% higher than the UK average.
“The introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act is encouraging a longer-term mindset across the sector, with landlords increasingly focused on building stable tenancies rather than simply filling vacancies quickly. As a result, quality homes in well-connected areas continue to attract significant interest from renters both in the UK and overseas.”
For further information or to download the full report, please visit: Lomond Quarterly Insights Summer 2026
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