The average rental price in the UK has risen by 0.13%, the highest monthly increase since April 2016, according to the Landbay Rental Index.

The increase in rental prices has pushed the average rent paid for a property in the UK up to £1,209 per month. However, excluding London, this figure drops to £767.

The index revealed that rental growth on an annual basis also showed signs of recovery, with rents across the UK increasing to 0.97%, the highest level seen since May 2017.

Annual rental growth in London, which had been in negative territory for more than a year before the first positive movement in April 2018, also showed a substantial uplift. Rental prices in London increased at the quickest pace seen in two years, rising to 0.44% in the year up to August 2018. However, despite the growth rate, the rise still has some way to go before reaching the average annual growth rate of 1.36% for the rest of the UK.

At a London borough level, rents have risen in 27 of the 33 boroughs over the course of the last 12 months. Four of the London boroughs exceeded the average annual rental growth rate, including the City of London (2.25%), Bexley (1.48%), Southwark (1.48%) and Lambeth (1.44%).

Furthermore, the index discovered additional signals of a strengthening rental market, with the East Midlands posting the highest monthly increase (0.32%) for an English region in 40 months, and the third highest monthly regional rise since the index began. Additionally, 8 of the 30 bottom performing areas experienced positive movements on an annual basis, including Slough (0.26%), Kingston upon Thames (0.21%), Surrey (0.14%), County Durham (0.12%), Haringey (0.09%), Hammersmith and Fulham (0.08%) and Blackpool (0.03%).

Commenting on the findings, Landbay CEO and co-founder John Goodall said: “The figures point to a possible start of sustained rental rises in the UK. Following a slowdown in rental growth the changes are likely influenced by a number of regulatory and tax changes introduced over the past two years.

“As landlords begin to feel the pinch from these changes, combined with a reduction in the supply of new homes, the inevitable consequence is an upward pressure on prices. The government must start to see landlords as a vital part of the UK housing market, rather than an easy target for raising the coffers. Any further changes to regulation or taxation will only end up on the tenant’s door.

“For brokers, this provides them with the opportunity to give expert advice to their clients about changing elements of the housing market and which areas have the most potential in the coming months.”

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