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The ONS had another interesting study out today. It looks at why "in recent years the average rental price statistics has been growing strongly, while ONS's rental index (the Index of Private Housing Rental Prices, IPHRP) has shown slower growth."

What's the answer then? This is it: "Today's release demonstrates clearly that the growth in the number of rental properties in affluent areas is pushing up the growth in average rental price statistics," says ONS director general for economic statistics, Jonathan Athow.

"When this effect is removed, and we compare on a more 'like for like' basis, the growth in rent prices is much lower." So now you know.