Rents continued to rise below the level of inflation in most UK regions in November, data shows.

Figures from Your Move show that UK rents were up 1.8% annually in November 2018 to £864 per month.

This compares with a current inflation rate of 2.3%.

The biggest rise was in the south-west region where prices rose 4.3% to £701, followed by a 1.9% increase in the East Midlands to £663 per month

Rents in the east of England and London fell by 1.1% and 0.9% respectively.

Tenants in the east of England are now paying £881 per month on average while those in the capital still pay the most at £1,263.

The agent added that landlords can now earn annual yields of 5% in the north-east and 4.8% in the north-west.

Martyn Alderton, national lettings director at Your Move, said: “Properties in the north appear to offer high percentage returns to property investors and, as a result, they are attracting interest even more.

“This strong appetite to buy has been accompanied by a rise in demand for rental properties, since the north is attracting many young professionals and families with its good transport links and job prospects.

“As the London market continues to gently slow down, other regions are coming to the fore and proving attractive to investors.

“In the south-west there was also good news and rental prices increased faster than anywhere else. The region boasts both the up-and-coming city of Bristol and some of the most picturesque parts of the world in Devon and Cornwall.”