Average Rent in Waltham Forest
As of January 2026, the average rent in Waltham Forest is £1,743/month — 31% above the England average of £1,332. Rents have changed by +2.3% over the past year.
Key figures
- Average rent: £1,743/month (31% above the England average of £1,332)
- Rents are up +2.3% year-on-year
- 1-bed average: £1,383/month
- Market rents exceed LHA by £186/month for a 1-bed
- London borough — expect referencing and credit checks as standard
Rent by bedroom type
Here's how average monthly rent in Waltham Forest breaks down by number of bedrooms, with year-on-year change for each.
| Type | Avg. rent | YoY change |
|---|---|---|
| All properties | £1,743 | +2.3% |
| 1 bedroom | £1,383 | +2.6% |
| 2 bedrooms | £1,702 | +2.4% |
| 3 bedrooms | £1,996 | +2.3% |
| 4+ bedrooms | £2,544 | +1.7% |
Rent by property type
In Waltham Forest, 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 | £2,116 |
| Semi-detached | £2,279 |
| Terraced | £2,023 |
| Flat / maisonette | £1,576 |
Local Housing Allowance comparison
The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) sets the maximum housing benefit for renters in the Outer East London area (April 2024 to March 2025). Here's how it compares to actual market rents.
| Size | LHA rate | Market rent | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared | £560 | — | — |
| 1 bed | £1,197 | £1,383 | +£186 |
| 2 bed | £1,396 | £1,702 | +£306 |
| 3 bed | £1,670 | £1,996 | +£326 |
| 4 bed | £1,945 | £2,544 | +£599 |
Where market rent exceeds the LHA rate, renters on housing benefit may need to cover the difference themselves.
Renting in Waltham Forest: what to know
Waltham Forest is a London borough where rental demand is consistently high. The average rent of £1,743 per month is 31% above the England average of £1,332. This is 17% below the London regional average of £2,099.
Rents in Waltham Forest have risen +2.3% over the past year, broadly in line with the London average of +3.1%.
The Local Housing Allowance for the Outer East London area is £1,197/month for a 1-bed, slightly below the market average of £1,383. Renters on housing benefit may face a modest shortfall of £186/month.
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 Waltham Forest?
The average rent in Waltham Forest is £1,743 per month as of January 2026. This covers all property sizes. A 1-bed averages £1,383, a 2-bed £1,702, a 3-bed £1,996.
Is rent in Waltham Forest going up or down?
Rents in Waltham Forest have increased by +2.3% over the past year. This is broadly in line with national trends.
How does rent in Waltham Forest compare to Local Housing Allowance?
The average 1-bed rent in Waltham Forest (£1,383) is £186 above the LHA rate of £1,197 for the Outer East London area. This means renters on housing benefit may face a shortfall.
Is Waltham Forest expensive compared to other London boroughs?
Yes — Waltham Forest is one of the more expensive boroughs. At £1,743/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.
Related topics
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