Average rents across the UK for the first half of 2010 have steadily increased on the same period of 2009, with Scotland recording the highest average growth at 12.39%.
Nevertheless, the healthy rise of Scottish rents comes from a low base, with average rents in the region of £487 per month.
The research by lettings firm Paragon Advance showed that the South East commanded the highest average in the country in H1 2010 at £949 per month, a 5.47% increase on the same period in 2009.
The East of England came second with an average rent of £808, a 4.66% increase on H1 last year.
However, Wales and the North West both saw average rents fall in the first six months of the year, by 8.6% and 1.7% respectively to £450 and £563.
Paul Abbott, head of property and mortgages at Paragon Advance, says: "While there is a high desire to purchase property, the banks demand for large deposits often makes renting the only option for a number of people and so the rental market has remained buoyant during the first six months of 2010."
