A Wells letting agent has said the rental market is rising following the easing of lockdown restrictions, being driven by a number of factors including people having to move for work.

Stuart Nash, of Stuarts Residential, was commenting after property giant Rightmove released figures today (June 2) saying that demand for lettings across the country is up 22 per cent compared to last year, with the South West topping the table at 34 per cent.

Experts say the lifting of lockdown restrictions has released "two months of pent-up tension" in the market.

They say the supply of new rents is not keeping up with demand, however, prompting fears the surge will push up costs and leave some struggling to find homes.

Stuart says the lockdown has created a pressure cooker situation, but landlords will still be wanting long-term tenants as a priority.

"We've seen an upturn in activity since moving home restrictions were lifted," he said.

"We have tenants relocating for work, some realising gardens are important to them and also those looking to reduce their monthly rental costs should a second lockdown occur.

"Understandably existing occupying tenants have not been keen to allow us to do viewings and the confusion over the Government lockdown guidance, has meant that virtual tours have been a useful tool in helping to let properties. We see these as being very much part of our marketing over the longer term.

"Increased legislation and tax changes have meant landlords have been exiting the market over recent years, creating a demand that has outstripped supply for some time now, so the lockdown just created a pressure cooker situation.

"While rents may have risen slightly as a result, we see this as a short term impact on the market.

"Landlords are far more interested in securing a long-term tenant that has a strong credit rating and track record of previous rental history."

According to the data provided by Rightmove, demand for all kinds of property plunged during the height of the lockdown.

The restrictions prevented house viewings, surveys and searches from taking place, while removal companies were also temporarily closed.

People were urged to stay in their current homes during lockdown unless absolutely necessary. Evictions were put on hold until June 25.

Since estate agents were allowed to reopen on May 13, though, demand for rental homes has increased at a quicker rate than the sales market, Rightmove said.

Rightmove housing expert Miles Shipside said the pandemic had left many people with an "immediate housing need".

Wednesday May 27 saw more than six million people visit the Rightmove website, its busiest day ever.

"They may need to move for a job," said Mr Shipside.

"In this environment we are in now, there is a need for people with specialist jobs to be in a certain place - just think about the Nightingale hospitals that have sprung up.

"Where some people have enjoyed lockdown, others' relationships haven't survived it and this has had knock-on consequences.

"There could be people who need to move because of job losses too.

"Effectively we have two months of pent-up demand that needs to be satisfied."

Rightmove classes demand as the number of times website visitors clicked through to the details of a property listed online.

However, supply is struggling to match demand.

The number of new rental listings on Rightmove is four per cent below 2019 levels. It dropped to a level of 64 per cent below during the week of April 6.

Landlords are "exiting the market" Mr Shipside says, due to Covid-19 and the uncertainty over tenants being able to afford rent.

Thinktank the Resolution Foundation found one in eight renters were struggling with housing costs as a result of coronavirus.

"It means that landlords have sort of got a choice now," said Mr Shipside.

"They are going to pick those with the best references and who can move in immediately. Those whose credit record is not the best tend to lose out."

More people bidding for fewer properties was almost certain to push up the prices of rented accommodation, he said.