Average Rent in Kensington and Chelsea
As of January 2026, the average rent in Kensington and Chelsea is £3,640/month — 173% above the England average of £1,332. Rents have changed by +0.4% over the past year.
Key figures
- Average rent: £3,640/month (173% above the England average of £1,332)
- Rents are up +0.4% year-on-year
- 1-bed average: £2,592/month
- LHA shortfall of £1,246/month for a 1-bed — housing benefit unlikely to cover market rent
- London borough — expect referencing and credit checks as standard
Rent by bedroom type
Here's how average monthly rent in Kensington and Chelsea breaks down by number of bedrooms, with year-on-year change for each.
| Type | Avg. rent | YoY change |
|---|---|---|
| All properties | £3,640 | +0.4% |
| 1 bedroom | £2,592 | +1.2% |
| 2 bedrooms | £3,369 | +0.9% |
| 3 bedrooms | £4,004 | +0.6% |
| 4+ bedrooms | £5,594 | -0.4% |
Rent by property type
In Kensington and Chelsea, flats and maisonettes make up a large share of the rental market. Here’s how average rents compare across property types.
| Property type | Avg. rent |
|---|---|
| Detached | £2,868 |
| Semi-detached | £4,715 |
| Terraced | £4,467 |
| Flat / maisonette | £3,014 |
Local Housing Allowance comparison
The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) sets the maximum housing benefit for renters in the Inner West London area (April 2024 to March 2025). Here's how it compares to actual market rents.
| Size | LHA rate | Market rent | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared | £758 | — | — |
| 1 bed | £1,346 | £2,592 | +£1,246 |
| 2 bed | £1,621 | £3,369 | +£1,748 |
| 3 bed | £2,044 | £4,004 | +£1,960 |
| 4 bed | £2,543 | £5,594 | +£3,051 |
Where market rent exceeds the LHA rate, renters on housing benefit may need to cover the difference themselves.
Renting in Kensington and Chelsea: what to know
Kensington and Chelsea is a London borough where rental demand is consistently high. The average rent of £3,640 per month is 173% above the England average of £1,332. This is 73% above the London regional average of £2,099.
Rents in Kensington and Chelsea have risen +0.4% over the past year, slower than the London average of +3.1%.
There's a significant gap between market rents and Local Housing Allowance in this area. A 1-bed here averages £2,592, but the LHA rate for the Inner West London BRMA is £1,346 \u2014 a shortfall of £1,246/month. Renters on housing benefit may need to top up from other income or look for properties below the local average.
London landlords and agents almost always run credit and referencing checks. A strong credit profile can make the difference between securing a property and losing out to another applicant. Reporting your rent payments to credit agencies is one way to start building that history.
FAQs
What is the average rent in Kensington and Chelsea?
The average rent in Kensington and Chelsea is £3,640 per month as of January 2026. This covers all property sizes. A 1-bed averages £2,592, a 2-bed £3,369, a 3-bed £4,004.
Is rent in Kensington and Chelsea going up or down?
Rents in Kensington and Chelsea have increased by +0.4% over the past year. This is below the national average rate of increase, suggesting the market is relatively stable.
How does rent in Kensington and Chelsea compare to Local Housing Allowance?
The average 1-bed rent in Kensington and Chelsea (£2,592) is £1,246 above the LHA rate of £1,346 for the Inner West London area. This is a significant gap — renters on housing benefit would likely need to cover the difference or look for below-market options.
Is Kensington and Chelsea expensive compared to other London boroughs?
Yes — Kensington and Chelsea is one of the more expensive boroughs. At £3,640/month average, it’s significantly above the England average of £1,332. Competition for rentals in inner London boroughs tends to be high, making a strong tenant profile especially valuable.
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