Barnet Rent Rises 7% in 2025, Hits £1,910 Monthly

Key Points

• Average private rent in Barnet increased by 7% to £1,910 per month in the year to October 2025.
• Rent has surged 28% over the past five years from £1,488 per month.
• The data is sourced from provisional Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures, with additional insights from Propertymark.
• Across London, average rents rose 4% to £2,265 per month over the same period.
• In Great Britain, the average private rent increased 5%, reaching £1,371 per month.
• Barnet rents vary significantly by property size, ranging from £1,467 for a one-bedroom to £3,138 for homes with four-plus bedrooms.
• Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark, emphasised the growing pressure in the private rented sector amid rising demand and limited supply.
• Aimee North, head of ONS housing market indices, noted the rental market is cooling with inflation easing over 10 months in the UK.
• Propertymark urges policymakers to introduce measures that encourage more homes into the rental sector rather than disincentivising landlords.

What are the latest rental price trends in Barnet?

According to provisional data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the average private rent in Barnet rose by 7% over the past year, reaching £1,910 per month in October 2025. This marks a significant increase from £1,787 per month recorded a year earlier. Over a longer horizon, rents have surged 28% from an estimated £1,488 five years ago, highlighting a pronounced upward trend in rental prices in the region.

As reported by Propertymark, the membership organisation for estate agents, this persistent rental inflation is symptomatic of a private rented sector grappling with increasing demand but constrained supply.

What does the data say about rent increases across London and the UK?

In a broader context, London’s average rent was £2,265 per month in October 2025, marking a 4% increase compared to the previous year. This figure is lower than Barnet’s rental growth rate but remains substantial given the size and diversity of the London market.

Turning to the nationwide perspective, the ONS figures reveal that the average private rent in Great Britain was £1,371 per month, up £65 or 5% from twelve months earlier. Aimee North, head of housing market indices at the ONS, commented on the overall trend, saying that

“the rental market continues to cool, with UK annual inflation easing for the 10th consecutive month.”

This suggests that while rents are still rising, the pace of increase has slowed down across the country.

How do rental prices vary by property size in Barnet?

Barnet’s rental market shows notable variation by property size. Data collected by Valuation Office Agency (VOA) rent officers — who gather information from landlords and letting agents covering about 10% of the market — indicate the following average monthly rents in October 2025:

• One-bedroom properties: £1,467
• Four or more bedrooms: £3,138

These figures illustrate significant disparities depending on property type and size, reflecting Barnet’s diverse housing stock and the premium placed on larger family homes.

What are experts saying about the causes and implications of rising rents?

Nathan Emerson, chief executive of Propertymark, provided insight into the market dynamics driving rent increases. He stated,

“An increase in rental prices highlights the continuing pressures faced by the private rented sector.”

Nathan underscored that while rent rises “may reflect strong demand and limited supply,” these price jumps

“intensify the affordability challenges many tenants are already experiencing.”

Emerson further warned letting agents and landlords to

“navigate these conditions carefully, ensuring any increases remain fair and sustainable.”

The chief executive argued for policy interventions, noting,

“Policymakers must recognise that persistent rental inflation points to a system struggling to meet demand and respond with measures that encourage more homes into the sector rather than driving landlords out.”

How reliable are the sources of this rental data?

The ONS data, cited in this report, is provisional and sourced from the Price Index of Private Rents dataset, which aggregates rental prices collected from landlords, letting agents, and other market participants. The Valuation Office Agency plays a key role by collecting prices from around 10% of the market, offering a representative sample of rental trends.

Propertymark’s insights complement the ONS’s official statistics by providing industry perspective from estate agents working directly in the market, helping to interpret the figures in light of demand and supply dynamics.

What does this mean for tenants in Barnet?

For tenants, the steep rent increases present a mounting affordability challenge. Rising rents, especially amid broader economic pressures such as inflation and stagnant wage growth, risk exacerbating housing insecurity for many households. As Nathan Emerson of Propertymark cautioned, the increases

“intensify the affordability challenges many tenants are already experiencing,”

urging careful management by landlords and letting agents.

At the same time, the incremental rise in rents — along with the slight cooling observed nationally — suggests some tentative stabilisation may occur, though sustained increases in high-demand areas like Barnet remain a concern.

What policy responses could address the rental market pressures?

Experts highlighted the importance of government action to ease supply constraints and support tenants. Propertymark has called for targeted measures aimed at “encouraging more homes into the sector,” warning that policies driving landlords out of the market would worsen availability and push rents even higher.

Considering Barnet’s rent increase surpasses both London and national averages, local and national policymakers might need to focus on boosting housing supply, improving rental market regulation, and offering tenant protections to ease the strain on renters.