Data taken between 1st January to 30th June 2010 (Q1 & Q2) by lettings service specialists Paragon Advance shows that London and the South East command the highest average rents at an average of £949.40pcm representing a 5.47% increase on the same period in 2009. This is followed by the East of England with an average rent of £808.00, a 4.66% increase on the same period last year.

Average rentals in Scotland for the period were considerably lower at £487.78, yet the region had the highest percentage increase in year on year rents at 12.39%.

Paul Abbott, head of property and mortgages at Paragon said: “Whilst there is a high desire to purchase property, the banks demand for large deposits often makes renting the only option for a number of people and so the rental market has remained buoyant during the first six months of 2010.”