Rent bills on the increase

The cost of privately renting flats in the Capital rose steadily during the first nine months of this year, according to the latest Rental Tracker figures by DJ Alexander.

Demand for family-type villas in the Capital's suburbs - normally marginal to the rental market - is also on the rise.

The cost of a two-bedroom flat rose from 735 a month in the first quarter of the year to 785 in the third.

Rob Trotter, senior property manager at the firm said: "With demand remaining strong, the rental values we are continuing to achieve are still showing signs of improvement."