London rents slid by 3% during the first half of 2020, driven by lockdown and a changing UK rental market.

Property professionals have welcomed new regulations allowing property viewings and visits to estate and lettings agents from Wednesday in England as the government eases the coronavirus lockdown.

The rental market has skidded to a halt during the coronavirus crisis, with tenants and landlords alike pressing pause as the lockdown and social distancing rules restrict viewings and people feel the squeeze on their finances.

Letting agents are being urged to be vigilant and use only bonafide reference companies as new data reveals fake or fraudulent rental applications have risen by 117% in the past 12 months.