UK Rental Market Data: The Areas Tenants Love (2025 Edition)
Amid reports that over a third of households now rent their homes, the UK residential rental market has grown significantly and tripled in size.
As the demand for rental properties continues to drive this market, the upcoming Renters' Rights Bill is set to further reshape the landscape by creating a more tenant-friendly environment.
With this in mind, in this article we have identified the UK’s most renter-heavy towns and cities by analysing key metrics such as the overall number of rented properties, university populations, employment rate and affordability.
We have also identified the places tenants love with the highest tenant satisfaction.
Article updated: March 2025.
UK Rental Market Statistics Summary 2025
- Stockport achieves the highest tenant satisfaction rate (91%) among all areas, while Bolsover is second at 87%.
- Manchester leads as the most renter-heavy city with 62% of households renting (outside of London).
- In London, Tower Hamlets has the highest rental percentage at 74%.
- London contains the highest absolute number of rental properties at 1,822,840, with Birmingham having the most rental properties (196,798) outside the capital.
- Burnley offers the most affordable house-buying ratio at 3.39, with Hartlepool (3.85) being the second most affordable area.
- Nottingham has the highest proportion of young adult resident demographic at 21%, followed by Cambridge, Oxford, and Exeter (all at 20%).
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by Robert Jones, Founder of Property Investments UK
With two decades in UK property, Rob has been investing in buy-to-let since 2005, and uses property data to develop tools for property market analysis.
Property Data Sources
Our property data research relies on diverse, authoritative datasets including:
- Gov UK: English Housing Survey
- ONS: Housing England and Wales
- ONS: Regional Labour Market
- Higher Education Statistics Agency
- Gov UK: National Public Transport
- Gov UK: Tenant Satisfaction Report
We update our UK rental market data annually to ensure accuracy. Last update: March 2025. Next update: March 2026. All data is presented as provided by our sources without adjustments or amendments.
UK Rental Market Data Explorer
Use this interactive tool to explore rental market data across the UK. Compare rental percentages, tenant satisfaction, affordability, and demographics to identify the cities tenants love. Data updated March 2025.
Showing data for: All Regions | Sorted by: Rental Market Share % (High to Low)
| Location | Rental Market Share % | Rental Properties | Tenant Satisfaction % |
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Data updated March 2025.
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UK Rental Market Statistics Finder
Select your region and then area to find statistics about the local rental market. Perfect for investors, landlords, researchers, journalists, and market analysts.
Your rental market statistics will appear here after selecting a region and area.
Conclusion
Manchester ranks as the top city for renters in 2025, with 133,126 rented properties, equivalent to 62% of households renting. The city’s bustling rental market is fuelled by its 88,997 university students, which is over four times the number in Norwich (21,375) and an impressive 2,788 transport stops. The city boasts a tenant satisfaction rate of 73%, outperforming Leicester (the lowest rated) by 22 percentage points (51%). Affordability is also low at 7.07 compared to London’s 13.51. Manchester’s young adult population of 17% compared to London’s 9%—and a 65% employment rate make it an attractive environment for renters.
Norwich ranks second, with 57% of households renting (36,985 properties). Though the city's 21,375 university students don’t quite match Manchester’s figures, the university population in Norwich continues to play a key role in driving rental demand. Norwich stands out with 1,219 transport stops, 40% more than Cambridge’s 730, and a strong 73% employment rate. Tenant satisfaction in the city is strong at 64%, and an affordability ratio of 7.03 continues to attract renters. The city’s peaceful atmosphere, supported by an older population of 15% seniors compared to Manchester’s, offers a more tranquil living experience.
Solihull stands out for its 81% tenant satisfaction and 27% young adult population, attracting a dynamic mix of renters. The area successfully balances high renter demand with tenant satisfaction, making it an attractive option for both young professionals and families.
Oxford’s 78% tenant satisfaction rate shows its strong appeal as a rental market. High demand is driven by 46,250 university students and a strong local economy, with 53% of residents renting. However, homeownership is out of reach for many due to high costs, with property prices rising 10% to an average of £549,581, making renting the main option for younger people.
London remains the UK’s largest rental market, with over 1.8 million rented properties. However, affordability remains a significant challenge in the capital, with unsurprisingly, the highest affordability ratio (13.51) among all cities analysed. Despite this, London’s extensive transport network with 19,430 transport stops and 76% employment rate continues to attract renters, cementing its position as a dominant player in the rental market.
Rochford stands as one of the UK’s least renter-heavy cities, with just 19% of households renting. The town has just 6,679 rented properties, and although tenant satisfaction is high at 72%, it remains a quieter, more suburban area compared to rental hotspots like Manchester. Rochford’s affordability ratio of 9.15 indicates that while housing is more accessible than in larger cities, renting remains a less popular choice in the area. With only 33 transport stops and a modest young adult population (18-24) of 6%, Rochford maintains a tranquil, family-oriented environment, appealing primarily to homeowners rather than renters.
Fareham and Bromsgrove both have 21% of households renting and high tenant satisfaction, standing at 84% in Fareham and 78% in Bromsgrove. With affordability ratios of 8.97 and 8.72, respectively, these towns offer more affordable living in peaceful, suburban settings. Their smaller rental markets attract residents seeking a quieter environment, with both having a low young adult population (6%).
Stroud leads in the proportion of young adult renters, with 26% of its population aged 18-24. This makes it a vibrant destination for younger renters who are drawn to its modest rental rates and lively community.
The UK rental market is shifting towards areas that offer a balance of affordability, tenant satisfaction, and community appeal. Cities like Manchester and Liverpool are thriving due to strong university populations and purpose built student accommodation, robust job markets and improved infrastructure. However, the success of rental markets (and the best buy-to-let locations now relies on more than just the number of renters – it’s about the quality of life in these areas.
For investors, tenant satisfaction is becoming a critical factor. High-performing rental markets combine affordability, good transport links and local amenities. Locations with high tenant satisfaction present opportunities for long-term capital growth. These areas are increasingly attractive to families and young professionals seeking a peaceful, affordable environment.
As the demand for flexible housing grows, smaller cities and suburban markets are showing strong investment potential. The work-from-home trend continues to shift demand outside major cities, making suburban hubs increasingly lucrative for investors.
Looking ahead, areas with a mix of affordability, tenant contentment, and diverse demographics will offer the best returns. By focusing on these high-potential locations, investors can tap into the long-term growth of the UK rental market and ride the property cycle.