HomeLet's recent research on the UK's rental market revealed that Brighton, Bristol, Edinburgh and Newcastle record the highest increase in rents in 2015.
Among the largest cities and towns in the UK, Brighton and Bristol suffered the worst rent hike in 2015 with an 18 percent increase compared to 2014's records. According to The Guardian, a flat in Brighton area normally costs £1,078 monthly, making it the country's second city to have rents surpassing the £1,000 a month mark.
"I am shocked by the increase in private rents," said David Gibson, a Green Party councilor and a member of the Living Rent Campaign in Brighton.
He also stated that Britain should bring back "rent controls and security," just like what Germany is doing in their private sector. One of the UK's largest private rented sectors is Brighton where 30 percent of the whole housing stock came from private landowners.
Likewise, Bristol's rent rose by 18 percent, with the average rent for new tenancy increased from £767 to £904. According to letting agents, more than four people are competing for each home for rent in the city.
The Southville branch of agents CJ Hole said in a mailing to prospective clients: "Are you getting enough rent? With rents increasing every week in Bristol, it is highly likely that your property is due a rent increase." This incited anger from Bristol tenants and led to an online appeal set up by Nathan Williams, pulling in more than 12,000 signatures. It was also reported that after five months, the branch had every one of its windows crushed.
On the other hand, Letting Agent Today reported that rents in 2015 around the Edinburgh and Newcastle areas rose by 16 percent compared to rents in 2014.
According to the monthly HomeLet Rental Index, rents across the UK outside of Greater London on average were 4.9 percent higher on new tenures signed during the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. Outside the capital, the average monthly rate now stands at £739.
