Posted: 17th January 2026

Reading Rents Hit £1,668 Per Month

When you look back at the average rents achieved in Reading over the last five years, from 2021 through to 2025, a clear pattern emerges. Reading saw extraordinary growth in rents as the market experienced a period of exceptional pressure post pandemic, yet in the last 12 months, is now settling into something far more measured.

That distinction matters. After several years in which Reading rents rose sharply and competition among tenants was intense, 2025 represented a shift towards balance. For many local tenants, that brings welcome relief. For landlords, it brings a different set of opportunities, provided expectations are adjusted and decisions are grounded in reality rather than headlines.

So, let us look at those last five years of rents in Reading and compare them against national figures:

2021 average rent in Reading: £1,272 per month
2022 average rent in Reading: £1,440 per month
2023 average rent in Reading: £1,587 per month
2024 average rent in Reading: £1,635 per month
2025 average rent in Reading: £1,668 per month

A rise of 31.1% in 5 years.

Set against the national picture:

2021 UK average rent: £1,390 per month
2022 UK average rent: £1,549 per month
2023 UK average rent: £1,723 per month
2024 UK average rent: £1,813 per month
2025 UK average rent: £1,838 per month

A rise of 32.2% in 5 years.

What this shows is that while rents in Reading have risen significantly since 2021, the pace of growth has clearly moderated during the last twelve months. That moderation is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign that the market is once again absorbing supply and demand more evenly and coming more into balance.

Why the Reading rental market has cooled without going cold

After years of intense pressure, conditions have eased. Competition between tenants is lower, supply has improved and thus rent growth has slowed.

On new lets nationally, annual rent inflation is now running at 1.4%, the slowest pace seen in around seven years. Average rents nationally sit at £1,838 per month, rising at around a third of the pace of wages (currently 4.6%). That is an important point. It signals that rents are no longer racing ahead of incomes, helping stabilise tenancies and reduce churn.

The reasons behind this shift are structural rather than temporary. Tenant demand is down by roughly a fifth compared with last year, according to Zoopla. Net migration has fallen sharply from the exceptional levels seen earlier in the decade, easing one of the biggest drivers of rental pressure. At the same time, improved mortgage availability has enabled more renters to enter home ownership, releasing additional rental stock back into the market.

This is not a market losing momentum. It is a market regaining equilibrium.

What supply looks like in Reading, year by year

Supply is the other half of the equation, and it is where many landlords misread the local picture.

Looking at the number of rental homes coming onto the Reading market:

2021 new rental listings in Reading: 9,765
2022 new rental listings in Reading: 8,326
2023 new rental listings in Reading: 7,317
2024 new rental listings in Reading: 6,983
2025 new rental listings in Reading: 7,992

Compared with the national trend:

2021 UK new rental listings: 1,353,253
2022 UK new rental listings: 1,261,296
2023 UK new rental listings: 1,243,095
2024 UK new rental listings: 1,240,194
2025 UK new rental listings: 1,356,004

What becomes apparent is that supply has improved locally over the last year, broadly in line with national patterns, but without overshooting demand. That is a crucial distinction. Reading has not suddenly become oversupplied; it has simply moved away from the shortage conditions of the last couple of years.

Why this is good news for Reading tenants & sensible news for landlords

For Reading tenants, the benefits are obvious. More choice, fewer bidding wars, and less pressure to make rushed decisions. That leads to longer, more stable tenancies and better outcomes on both sides.

For Reading landlords, it is my opinion the opportunity lies in one’s shifting focus. The most successful landlords are rarely those who chase the maximum headline rent every year. They are the ones who prioritise a balance between occupancy, tenant quality, and long-term income without any hassle.

In a calmer Reading rental market, pricing accurately matters more than pricing aggressively. Overstretching on rent is more likely to result in void periods, which erode returns far faster than a modest increase improves them or attracts a certain type of tenant that might not be as reliable in paying the rent or keeping the property in good condition.

Stable prices strengthen the investment case for Reading buy-to-let

Another factor often overlooked is house price stability. A stable sales market in Reading makes it easier for landlords to plan, whether that is buying, refinancing or rebalancing a portfolio.

When prices are not swinging wildly, investors can assess opportunities based on fundamentals rather than speculation. Yield, tenant demand and running costs come back to the front. For landlords considering entering or expanding in Reading, that stability reduces risk and supports more confident decision-making.

What a professional approach looks like in 2026 and beyond

As the Reading rental market normalises, a more professional approach becomes essential.

Properties that are well presented, well maintained and sensibly priced continue to let well in a timely manner. Clear communication around rent reviews helps maintain trust. Landlords who understand their local data, rather than relying on national headlines, are better placed to make informed decisions.

This is also a market that rewards compliance and good management. As standards rise across the sector and with the new rental legislation already introduced, (plus what is on the horizon with the Renters Rights Act) those already operating properly will find the transition far smoother than those who have relied on scarcity to mask weaknesses.

Looking back at rent data from 2021 to 2025, the long-term trend remains positive. What has changed is the pace, not the principle.

For Reading landlords, 2025 marks a return to a market that rewards patience, preparation and realism. Tenants benefit from greater fairness and choice. Landlords benefit from stability, predictability and the ability to build sustainable income over time.

In short, a calmer rental market is not something to fear. For those taking a long-term view in Reading, it may well be exactly the environment in which sensible decisions deliver the best results.

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Reading Rents Hit £1,668 Per Month