Property management fees in the Midlands have increased by an estimated 53.9% over the past decade, the fastest rate of growth across England’s regions.

New research has analysed average rental values across England’s regions in 2016 and 2026, applying an average 10% (plus VAT) property management fee to estimate annual management costs.

The analysis then compared regional changes over the 10-year period to assess how property management fees have evolved across the North, Midlands, and South.

According to the findings, while the Midlands recorded the strongest growth in percentage terms, the South remains the most expensive region for property management on an absolute basis.

The estimated average annual fee across the South, including London, now stands at £2,168, compared with £1,353 in the Midlands, and £1,237 in the North.

London continues to sit at the top of the market, with the average annual property management fee reaching £3,303 in 2026. 

This marks a 37% increase over the past decade, the lowest rate of growth across all regions analysed, but maintains a significant premium over the rest of the country.

Across the wider South East, average annual property management fees now stand at £2,042, following a 44.8% increase since 2016. The South West has seen a 52.2% rise over the same period, the largest of all southern regions, with fees now averaging £1,777 per year.

In the North of England, property management fees remain the lowest overall, but have still recorded strong growth over the past decade. The average annual fee across the region now stands at £1,237, up 48.2% since 2016.

However, it’s the East Midlands that has seen the nation’s largest 10-year increase of 57%, while West Midlands fees have increased by 50.9%.

The research was conducted by Rushbrook & Rathbone.