Private rental prices paid by tenants in Great Britain rose by 2.6% in the 12 months to March 2016, unchanged when compared with the year to February 2016, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Private rental prices grew by 2.8% in England, 0.2% in Wales and 0.6% in Scotland in the 12 months to March 2016. Rental prices increased in all the English regions over the year to March 2016, with rental prices increasing the most in London (3.7%).

Adrian Gill, director of lettings agents Your Move and Reeds Rains, comments: “As the spring market warms up, recent weeks may have been the last of the best deals for those signing a new tenancy. Into April, market rents will start to build a gradual but inevitable path, ultimately reaching the very peak of the market in the autumn. Early spring is just the calm before the storm.

“The Chancellor would do better to help tenants rather than punish landlords. New tax changes intended to benefit owner-occupiers are now making it more expensive to become a landlord, at least for the time being. Ultimately this will only punish tenants – driving out buy-to-let landlords will reduce supply leading to lower choice and higher rents for those that can least afford them.”