Average rents increased by 1.4 per cent in the 12 months to November, figures from the Office for National Statistics show.
Annual growth in private rental costs was unchanged from the previous month.
The data does not set out the average amount paid by tenants, only the percentage increase.
Rents grew by 1.4 per cent in England, 1.6 per cent in Wales and 0.6 per cent in Scotland.
The South West was the English region to see the highest annual growth in private rental prices at 2.3 per cent, while the South East saw the lowest at 0.9 per cent.
London rents grew by 1.1 per cent in the year to November, up from 0.9 per cent in the 12 months to October.
The ONS figures follow Arla Propertymark’s findings that only a third of agents witnessed landlords increasing rents in October.
The number of new prospective tenants was at an all-time high for the month of October, and the number of properties managed per branch increased.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors’ November index reported that tenant demand was more or less unchanged over the month, but the volume of landlord instructions coming onto the market declined.
Flatfair chief executive Franz Doerr says: “While it may be tempting to interpret flatlining rental growth as a cause for celebration, the pandemic’s impact on jobs in the service sector — particularly in the likes of London — means fewer private tenants will be able to take advantage of low prices.
“Many have either been placed on furlough or lost their jobs altogether, so are not in a financial position to consider moving.
“The home-working revolution has also prompted many white-collar workers to consider moving further out of central London in the search for better value and more living space.
“For the lettings market, the traditionally quieter winter months could this year be silent enough to hear a pin drop.
“Cooling demand means landlords, particularly those in more central areas, could struggle to quickly fill voids if tenants hand in their notices over the coming weeks.”
