Rents are rising at the strongest pace for three years, with the North leading the way, according to research.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) said while overall demand for rented homes remained firm, the recent stall in house price rises was causing jitters among some landlords.

Many would-be buyers are taking up rented accommodation while they see how the housing market progresses - meaning rents have risen at their fastest pace since October 2001.