With an increasing number of nervous homeowners and first-time buyers facing uncertainty about the housing market, more are biding their time by opting to go into rental accommodation. According to a recent survey conducted by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), rents have risen over the past couple of months at their fastest rate for over three years. Flats have achieved higher rent rises than houses, with London reporting the strongest rental rise. RICS Spokesman Jeremy Leaf said: "Now, the attitude of why rush? is influencing the demand for rental property".