Rents are rising at the fastest pace since 2008 as people rush back to city centres following the pandemic, according to a report by property website Zoopla.

Private sector rents in the UK were 4.6% higher in September than a year before at £968 per month on average, the strongest growth seen in 13 years. Even outside of London, rents were up by 6%, marking a 14-year high.

The report suggested that alongside the easing of lockdown restrictions and businesses re-opening in city centres, there has been a marked return to built-up areas following the mass outpour of people to the countryside seen at the beginning of the pandemic.

Rents are rising at the fastest pace since 2008 and pricing women out of cities