Britain's rental hotspots for 2026 have been revealed, with London topping the list but Edinburgh and Glasgow leapfrogging Manchester to take third and fourth place respectively. The rankings, based on more than 2.2 million rental searches made on Gumtree between January and July 2026, also see Bradford and Plymouth enter the top ten.
Demand gathers pace over summer
Demand accelerated over the summer, with more than 310,000 searches made on Gumtree in July alone, up 7% on June. The figures suggest interest extends beyond Britain's biggest cities, with Bradford and Plymouth joining established rental hubs including Manchester, Leeds and Bristol.
Renters casting the net wider
Nav Dhillon, CEO at Gumtree, said: “Britain's renters are clearly casting the net wider, and our top ten rental hotspots show how demand is stretching across the country.”
“Finding the right property is only part of the challenge. Deposits, removals and furnishing a home can quickly add to the cost, so being able to compare options and make use of second-hand can help make moving more manageable.”
New moving feature with AnyVan
Gumtree has launched a new moving feature with AnyVan, which the companies say could cut moving costs by up to 40%. There are potentially greater savings for people who pack their belongings themselves. The service provides movers with an instant estimated quote, allowing them to factor transport costs into their plans earlier.
For renters looking to keep costs down, Gumtree also offers listings for second-hand furniture, appliances and homeware, alongside local services such as removals and furniture assembly. Landlords and property professionals can also use the platform to find local tradespeople and services to help manage and maintain rental properties.
Cost of moving often overlooked
Marc Clifton, CEO at AnyVan, added: “The cost of moving home often gets overlooked when budgeting for a new property, but moving everything in a three-bed home costs upwards of £500 on average, or £1,000 if you need help with the packing.”
“For renters moving between furnished properties, the good news is that costs will usually be lower, as there's less to transport.”
“To avoid surprises and ensure you get a fair price, I always recommend planning your transport early. Understanding how much you need to move and avoiding unnecessary last-minute costs can make moving day considerably easier.”
Britain's 2026 rental hotspots are London, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, Bradford, Bristol, Liverpool and Plymouth.
