The pace of rent rises appears to be falling – but rents are still going up for a quarter of tenants, ARLA has reported.

Out of a total of 265 lettings branches reporting on September, 27% of agents said landlords had hiked rents.

This compared with 35% in August.

The branches reported an average of 79 lettings applicants – up 10% from August – and 189 properties under management – down 2% from September last year.

David Cox, ARLA Propertymark chief executive, said: “Last week’s consumer price index showed that inflation rose to 2.8% in September, up from 2.7% in August.

“As the cost of living increases, the last thing tenants need is for their rents to rise, so while it’s great that month on month we’re finally seeing a decrease in the number of landlords hiking costs, we need to look at the bigger picture.

“There are still more than a quarter of tenants experiencing rent hikes every month – and that’s too high.

“As summer drew to a close in September, demand increased in line with our expectations, and while it’s too soon to see the effect of this on rent costs, we know that when supply and demand are conflicting, rent prices will just continue to rise.”

Your Move has also reported on the rental market in September.

It said that there have been rent rises in most areas across England and Wales over the last year.

The month ended with an average rent of £843, up 3.2% on September a year ago – and ahead of 2.8% inflation.

The region with the fastest growing rents was the north-west, while rents grew the slowest in London and the south-east.

However, rents were easily the highest in London, averaging £1,280, and were the lowest in the north-east at £536 per month.