Cost of renting homes in England and Scotland rises by 2.1% says ONS

The average cost of renting a home in England has gone up by 2.1% in the 12 months leading up to the end of March, official data has revealed.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows private rental prices paid by tenants went up by 2.1% in England and Scotland. But Wales experienced a much slower rate of growth with rental costs increasing by 0.8% in the same timeframe.

As per usual, London saw the biggest rise on a regional basis with renting going up by 3.2%, whereas Yorkshire & the Humber and the north east were the two smallest risers at 0.4% each.

Matt Hutchinson, director of house share site SpareRoom.co.uk, is quoted by the BBC as saying: "We have a chronic shortage of housing in the areas where jobs are being created, so rents continue to rise as supply fails to meet demand.

"In some areas of London we are seeing up to 13 people compete for every room advertised during peak months."