Average UK rents in the private sector increased by 1.5 per cent over the year to April, the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show.

The annual growth rate was up from 1.4 per cent in March.

Rents were up by 1.5 per cent in England, 1 per cent in Wales and 0.7 per cent in Scotland.

In London rents grew by 1.3 per cent year on year.

It comes after the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors’ April survey showed a sharp decline in tenant demand and a fall in landlord instructions.

Looking at long-term trends, the ONS reports that between January 2015 and April 2020, private rental prices in the UK have increased by 9 per cent.