Average rental growth reached 4.6% in prime central London, according to newly released data analysis from industry platform LonRes. The figures from September 2026 indicate that rental properties have experienced the fastest rent rises seen since spring 2025.
As The Landlord Association reports, this recent growth brings average prime rents to almost 45% above pre-pandemic rent levels. Data from LonRes suggests that 36% of Mayfair and St James’s properties rented out in 2026 achieved rents over £100,000, for example. In South Kensington, Knightsbridge and Belgravia, about 20% of rents surpassed the same figure.
Worth noting is that the Renters’ Rights Act applies only to annual rents up to £100,000, meaning a different dynamic may be emerging among high-value London lets, compared to the rental market as a whole.
LonRes head of research, Nick Gregori, commented: “The Renters Rights Act is likely to be having an impact here, from both sides of the supply-demand equation. First, some landlords have exited the market, meaning more competition for the remaining properties. Second, those who have remained may be seeking a premium to account for the perceived greater tenants’ rights.”
Today’s rental market has indeed experienced its share of upheaval, with evolving private rental rules and regulations to navigate. Even so, many prime central London landlords have remained active and a proportion have brought properties to the rental market. In fact, the data points to an uptick of 3.4% in new rental instructions. Compared with September 2025, LonRes reports that there are 6.9% more properties currently on the rental market – a notable increase, though supply remains below the historic average.
With this in mind, landlords may still be wise to keep affordability and competitive pricing in mind to strike the right balance. When setting the rent or making any other key decision, landlords should also carefully assess their own position. A good letting agent will be glad to assist.
Courtney is a Chartered Surveyor, the senior partner and owner of the Best Gapp group.
His special talent honed over the last 30 years is winning. Winning for his many clients.
Winning a Leasehold Enfranchisement case, winning a negotiation to sell or buy, winning a lower rent at review, winning a planning permission to enhance value, winning trust.
