Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire has overtaken central London to become the UK’s most expensive postcode for renters, with average monthly rents now standing at a staggering £5,920, new research reveals.
The leafy commuter town, 23 miles northwest of the capital, now commands higher rents than exclusive London postcodes like SW7 (South Kensington and Knightsbridge), where average rents sit at £5,438.
That puts Beaconsfield 8% higher than SW7, 279% above the South East average, and a remarkable 358% more than the national average, according to property portfolio platform Cohab.
The town’s position at the top of the rental rankings is driven by the prevalence of large detached family homes and country mansions, especially in surrounding villages such as Penn, where one six-bedroom luxury home is currently listed at £86,667 per calendar month.
Unlike per-square-foot rental data — which would see central London dominate — Cohab’s analysis is based on average rent per property, meaning locations with larger homes, like Beaconsfield, top the list.
Elsewhere, Falmouth’s TR11 postcode was revealed as the most expensive for renters in the South West, showing that high rents aren’t solely a London or commuter belt phenomenon.
Separate data released by Rightmove today shows London rents have hit a 14th consecutive record high, now averaging £2,698 per month — a 2.5% rise on last year. Though quarter-on-quarter growth is marginal (0.3%), supply remains tight, and demand is strong, with eight prospective tenants competing for every available home in the capital.
By comparison, the North West sees 18 renters chasing each property, a reflection of affordability-driven migration and regional price gaps.
Despite a recent uptick in listings — attributed to first-time buyers rushing to beat the April stamp duty deadline — experts are sceptical that this marks a meaningful rebalancing of the market.
“There is still nowhere near enough [rental stock] to meet demand where it is most needed,” says Richard Bryce, co-founder of The House Collective. He warns that landlord uncertainty around incoming legislation, including the Renters’ Rights Bill, is keeping many from expanding or re-letting portfolios.
That bill, which is expected to pass later this year, includes the abolition of Section 21 evictions, enhanced protections for tenants with children or benefits, and restrictions on excessive rent increases.
Simon Welfare of Wilfords said: “The increased burden of regulation is putting off investors. This means no significant new rental stock will be coming through.” With international tenants returning and corporate relocation on the rise, he expects “prices to edge upwards again — especially during the peak summer season.”
With prime regional postcodes like Beaconsfield outpricing even London’s elite boroughs, and new legislation on the horizon, Britain’s rental market is facing a perfect storm of high demand, limited supply, and uncertain investor appetite.
Unless stock levels improve, renters — even outside London — may need to brace for further price climbs.
