There has been a notable drop in the number of landlords increase rents, according to the latest data.

The ARLA Propertymark September Private Rented Sector (PRS) report shows that 40% of agents saw landlords increase rents in September, down from 58% in the corresponding month last year.

September’s figures also represent a fall from the 48% recorded in August.

The research also found that the number of new prospective tenants fell for the first time in September since the housing market reopened in May.

The average letting agent branch registered 82 new tenants in September, down from 101 in August.

The number of rental properties available per letting agent branch also dropped, from 208 in August to 193 in September – the same level as in September 2019.

Meanwhile, the number of landlords selling their buy-to-let properties increased from four per branch in August, to five in September.

Angela Davey, president of ARLA Propertymark, commented: “Our latest figures show that letting agents are continuing to support landlords and their tenants during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic with rent increases down by almost a fifth year on year and renters staying in their tenancies for longer.

“As we head towards winter and further uncertainty due to increasing lockdown measures, it is vital that tenancies are maintained.”