North West Rental Market Outperforms the UK With 9% Annual Growth

Published by Magnate Assets on Mar 13, 2026

The North West rental market is now the standout performer in England, posting the strongest annual growth and some of the most favourable landlord conditions in the country. New data shows rents in the region have surged over 9% year-on-year, far outpacing the national average of just 2% and reinforcing the North West property market as one of the UK’s most resilient and in-demand regional markets.

This performance highlights a wider pattern of UK rental market growth, where regional cities are increasingly outperforming London and the South. For a detailed breakdown of regional rental performance, check out our Where UK Rents Are Soaring: The Top Rental Hotspots Outside London.

The North West Leads the UK in Rental Growth

According to the latest Goodlord Rental Index, the North West rental market recorded a 9.3% annual increase, rising from £1,002 to £1,096 per month. This is the highest growth of any region in England and continues a trend seen in recent months.

The North West rental market has been outperforming regions such as the East of England and South West, where rents have actually fallen year-on-year. To explore further, check out our article on the UK rental market growth forecast, which discusses the promising future of the rental sector.

Demand Remains High — and Voids Are Falling

While some areas of the UK rental market are showing signs of cooling, the North West rental market remains structurally undersupplied. Demand continues to exceed available stock, and this imbalance is driving rents upward even as other regions soften.

The data shows:

Tenant demand in northern regions remains elevated compared to pre‑pandemic norms.
Competition for quality rental homes is still strong, especially in major employment hubs and regeneration zones.
Month-on-month, the North West rental market again posted the biggest rise in rents, increasing nearly 4% in February alone.

This sustained demand is reinforcing UK rental market growth trends, particularly in regional cities where affordability and employment opportunities continue to attract tenants.

For insight into the growing demand for buy-to-let investments, check our article on UK rental yields hitting a 10-year high.

Why the North West Property Market Continues to Outperform

Several structural factors continue to support the strength of the North West property market, particularly in the rental sector.

Chronic undersupply of rental stock relative to demand
Major regeneration projects in cities like Manchester, Liverpool, and Salford
Strong employment growth in tech, media, logistics, and professional services
Large student and young professional populations driving year‑round demand
More affordable entry prices for investors compared to the South

These drivers are helping sustain UK rental market growth, while the North West rental market benefits from a particularly strong combination of affordability, regeneration investment, and employment expansion.

To learn more about how regeneration is shaping investment in Northern cities, refer to our article on London housing crisis rental investment opportunity, where we discuss how regional regeneration is driving demand.

What This Means for Investors

For investors evaluating the UK rental market, the North West rental market stands out as:

The highest‑growth rental region in England
A market where demand continues to exceed supply
An area with strong rental resilience, even as national averages cool
A region where void periods are tightening, supporting stronger yields

With rents rising faster than almost anywhere else in the country and demand remaining structurally high, the North West property market continues to offer one of the most compelling rental investment opportunities in the UK.

To see how regional investment can outperform other areas, explore our piece on Where Do You Get the Most Bang for Your Buck in UK Real Estate.

The Magnate Assets View

At Magnate Assets, we specialise in identifying post-COVID outperformers and early-stage regeneration corridors such as the North West property market. Our approach combines market selection, deal-level underwriting, and portfolio construction to help clients take advantage of long-term UK rental market growth.

For insights on buy-to-let investment, visit our article on UK Property Investment: 7.4% Yield Q1 2025 to understand investment opportunities in a growing market.

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