St Albans tenants are set to be hit with some of the biggest rent increases in the UK, a new study has revealed.

According to research from online letting agent MakeUrMove, 64 per cent of landlords in the city could increase rents by an annual average of £424.

This puts St Albans third on the list of the 10 towns and cities where tenants are facing the biggest rent rises.

Walsall in the West Midlands came top, with 71 per cent of tenants facing rent increases costing an extra £155 per year, followed by Wrexham, north Wales, where 70 per cent of tenants face paying £161 more.

A total of two million tenants across the UK could be hit with rent rises in 2018, and Alexandra Morris, managing director of MakeUrMove, believes several factors are responsible.

She said: “The impending tenant fees ban, loss of mortgage interest tax reliefs and regulatory changes have all combined to create a perfect storm of financial pressures.

“It’s likely that 2018 will be the year that sees tenants feel the biggest impact yet from the recent changes introduced to the private rental sector.”

She added: “The rental market differs throughout the country, but what is striking from our study is the widespread nature of these rent increases.

“Although we recognise that professionalisation of the private rental sector is important, it’s essential the Government doesn’t make tenants the unintended victims of their drive for increased regulation.”

Top 10 places tenants will face rent increases

1. Walsall – 71 per cent of landlords will increase rents

Average annual rent increase: £155

2. Wrexham – 70 per cent of landlords will increase rents

Average annual rent increase: £161

3. St Albans – 64 per cent of landlords will increase rents

Average annual rent increase: £424

4. Portsmouth – 61 per cent of landlords will increase rents

Average annual rent increase: £316

5. Leicester – 59 per cent of landlords will increase rents

Average annual rent increase: £227

6. Newcastle Upon Tyne – 53 per cent of landlords will increase rents

Average annual rent increase: £255

7. Bath – 50 per cent of landlords will increase rents

Average annual rent increase: £417

8. Coventry – 50 per cent of landlords will increase rents

Average annual rent increase: £343

9. Dundee – 50 per cent of landlords will increase rents

Average annual rent increase: £167

10. Sunderland – 50 per cent of landlords will increase rents

Average annual rent increase: £167