THE percentage of tenants in the private rented sector in the UK experiencing rent rises has increased to its highest level for almost a year, new research shows.

Some 35 per cent of tenants saw rents rise in June, up from 28 per cent in the previous month, the biggest number since August 2017 and 13 per cent higher than June 2017, according to the data from the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA).

The ARLA monthly report also shows that the number of rental properties letting agents managed increased by three per cent in June at 191 on average per branch, the highest figures so far this year.

In terms of demand from tenants, the number of prospective tenants registered per member branch increased in June, with 71 per branch compared to 60 in May, up 18 per cent.

But fewer landlords are leaving the residential lettings sector with the number exiting the private residential sector falling to four per branch in June.

“It’s positive to see the number of properties available to rent slowly rising but it still isn’t anywhere near enough to slow down the pace of rent rises, which are continuing to climb,” said David Cox, ARLA chief executive.

“Over the last few years, we’ve seen taxes to both purchase and let a rental property increase.

“We predicted back at the end of last year that renters would be in for a rough ride in 2018, and we warned Government about the impact on the market. Renters are suffering.”