Rental downward trend ends

This comes after nine consecutive months of falls.

The average asking rent remained at £819 a month, which was still 5.5% lower than the same month a year ago, according to the website.

With more flats becoming available to rent, these are becoming cheaper to rent than houses. But there has also been evidence that tenants are haggling for lower rents or the inclusion of bills such as council tax in their rent.