Rent levels in Scotland have increased at a slower rate than England and Wales, according to a new report.

Over the last four years, the survey by Your Move found property rents in Scotland had increased by 5.3% since 2011. During the same period, the rate increased by 9.6% in England and Wales.

Currently, tenants in Scotland pay £536 a month on average, an increase from £509 in 2011.

In the past year, rent levels were found to have increased in three out of five areas in Scotland, with the capital and the Lothians recording the strongest annual growth. Here, rents increased by 3.8% in the 12 months to January, the report said. Meanwhile, in the Highlands and Islands, rents are now 1.4% lower than the previous year.

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For the month of January, the report added that there was a 0.1% monthly decrease in rental prices, but the average monthly rent remains 1.3% higher than the previous year.

Brian Moran, area lettings director at Your Move, is quoted as saying: "Scottish tenants are having a much smoother ride than their counterparts south of the border, with rental prices in Scotland climbing at a considerably slower pace.

"Despite snowballing demand for homes to let, the private rented sector has managed to shelter tenants from the worst extremes of rent inflation and rents have navigated an affordable route broadly trailing inflation."

The index by Your Move is based on analysis of around 3,000 properties across Scotland.

(JP/CD)