London average 1-bed rent: £2,250/mo Year-on-year rent increase: +5.8% London rents up around 5.8% year on year Renters' Rights Act: fixed-term tenancies replaced by rolling periodic tenancies Croydon and outer boroughs see the fastest growth as renters move out of zone 1 Bidding wars above the asking rent are banned under the new rules Your deposit must be protected in a government-approved scheme (DPS, TDS or mydeposits) within 30 days. Deposits are capped at 5 weeks' rent (6 weeks if annual rent is over £50,000). London average 1-bed rent: £2,250/mo Year-on-year rent increase: +5.8% London rents up around 5.8% year on year Renters' Rights Act: fixed-term tenancies replaced by rolling periodic tenancies Croydon and outer boroughs see the fastest growth as renters move out of zone 1 Bidding wars above the asking rent are banned under the new rules Your deposit must be protected in a government-approved scheme (DPS, TDS or mydeposits) within 30 days. Deposits are capped at 5 weeks' rent (6 weeks if annual rent is over £50,000).

United Kingdom · Rent guide

London Rent Guide 2026

Average rent costs by neighbourhood, yearly rent increases and tenant rights in London. The typical one-bedroom rent is £2,250 per month, up 5.8% year on year.

Average rent by neighbourhood

Neighbourhood	1 bedroom	2 bedrooms	Yearly increase
Kensington & Chelsea	£3,400	£5,200	+4.1%
Westminster	£3,100	£4,800	+4.6%
Camden	£2,450	£3,300	+5.9%
Islington	£2,350	£3,100	+6.2%
Hackney	£2,100	£2,750	+6.8%
Tower Hamlets	£2,150	£2,800	+5.4%
Southwark	£2,050	£2,700	+6.1%
Lambeth	£2,000	£2,650	+5.7%
Croydon	£1,450	£1,800	+7.2%

Indicative 2026 figures (per month, GBP). Compare with real tenant-reported rents on RentScore.

Average rent per square metre in London

£45 / m² per month

City-wide indicative average, based on a typical 50 m² one-bedroom flat. Central neighbourhoods cost more:

Kensington & Chelsea: £68 / m²
Westminster: £62 / m²
Camden: £49 / m²
Islington: £47 / m²

Deposit laws in London

Your deposit must be protected in a government-approved scheme (DPS, TDS or mydeposits) within 30 days.
Deposits are capped at 5 weeks' rent (6 weeks if annual rent is over £50,000).
Always get a written inventory with dated photos at move-in to protect your deposit.

How do foreigners and expats without a local credit score find a home in London with RentScore?

Check the building first: read verified tenant reviews, rent history and street safety on RentScore before you contact a landlord.
Know the fair price: use the neighbourhood averages above and the RentScore rent estimate so you are not overcharged as a newcomer.
Replace the missing credit score: offer an employment contract, recent payslips, a reference from your previous landlord and your RentScore rental history.
Consider a rent guarantee service or a larger (but legal) deposit instead of a local guarantor — never pay more than the legal limit shown above.
Upload your lease to the free RentScore contract check: RentScore flags hidden clauses, unfair rent increases and deposit traps in your own language.
Ask the RentScore advisor below any local question, in any language.

Estimate a fair rent Check my contract for free Browse rated properties

Tenant rights in London

Your deposit must be protected in a government-approved scheme (DPS, TDS or mydeposits) within 30 days.
Deposits are capped at 5 weeks' rent (6 weeks if annual rent is over £50,000).
Most letting fees to tenants are banned under the Tenant Fees Act 2019.
The Renters' Rights Act ends 'no-fault' Section 21 evictions and limits rent increases to once a year via Section 13.
You can challenge an above-market rent increase at the First-tier Tribunal.
Landlords must give at least 24 hours' written notice before visits.

Ask the RentScore advisor about renting in London

Ask anything about rents here

For example: Which neighbourhood is cheapest for a 2-bedroom? Can my landlord raise the rent twice a year?