The latest data released by the Office of National Statistics indicates that private rental prices paid by tenants in the UK increased by 2.5% in the year to December 2015.
Prices increased by 2.7% in England, 0.7% in Wales and in 0.9% in Scotland. In London, prices increased by 3.9%.
English Increase
More detailed figures from the report show that since January 2011, rental prices in England have risen more than those in both Wales and Scotland. Indeed, the annual rate changes recorded in Wales continue to be less than the average for Great Britain.
Since the start of 2012, English rental prices have shown yearly increases of between 1.4% and 3%. In the 12 months to December 2015, rental prices rose in each of the nine regions of England. Unsurprisingly, the largest rises were in London, followed by the East and South East with 2.8%. Rental prices in the capital have been stronger than those recorded in the rest of England since 2010.
Overall, the rental market in the country showed signs of continued strength in the final quarter of 2015, with prices increasing 2.5% in the year to December. However, this was a slowdown of 0.2% in comparison to figures released at the end of quarter three.
Residential Rents In UK Rise By 2.5% in 2015
Slows
This slowdown can be attributed in part to Scotland, where prices increased just 0.9% in the year to December 2015, a fall of 0.7% compared to the annual growth rate in September.
Additionally, conditions in the housing market in general may have had an effect on the rental market. House price growth has typically been greater than rental rises for a number of years.
Demand however remains high, with statistics released by RICS indicating that those interested in renting accommodation rose again in the three months to December. However, new landlord instructions fell.