The cost of renting a home rose by 12% in the year to August, according to estate agency Hamptons – the highest since it started its survey in 2014.
A typical monthly rent of a newly-let property is now £1,304, it said.
The rise in the past 12 months was more than the increase seen over the four years to 2019, Hamptons said.
Pressure on landlords from high mortgage rates and rising demand from tenants has been pushing up rental costs.
With fewer properties available to rent in many areas, the mismatch between supply and demand has made renting more expensive.