YORK'S lettings market is experiencing a boom thanks to demand from professional tenants according to one of the city's property consultancies.

The York branch of national property experts Carter Jonas has revealed monthly rental prices across the city have increased by 26 per cent in recent months, pushing the average rental up to £901 a month.

The rental market is particularly strong among properties valued at between £120,000 and £200,000, while in recent years there has been a change in the length of tenancy, driving a short good rental property.

Whereas in 2013 the average tenancy was six months, increasingly professionals relocating to the city now are choosing to take on a fixed term tenancy agreement that matches the duration of their employment contract.

Kate Brown, Carter Jonas lettings manager, said: "The York lettings market continues to be a fast moving and lively one.

"Long popular with both tenants and landlords, the city offers a cosmopolitan lifestyle, history and old world charm.

"Increasing average rental prices and ever growing demand from professional tenants make the city an attractive proposition for investment buyers looking for impressive monthly returns.

"Choosing to rent is often a lifestyle decision taken by many professionals influenced by higher house prices and lenders’ deposit requirements.

"Company relocations, older couples moving back into the city from the surrounding countryside and good schools also continue to be driving forces for the letting market in the city.

"The corporate let market has also enjoyed substantial growth and activity in 2015, with blue chip companies such as AVIVA, Nestle, Hiscox, the NHS and the Armed Forces, all attracting professionals to relocate within the city.

"The resulting continuous supply of professional tenants relocating to the city has fuelled demand for high end, high specification properties, giving landlords the impressive yields we are currently seeing and resulting in all-time low ‘void’ of vacant periods throughout the city."

Ms Brown said landlords can expect York properties to offer high return yields, with the average currently sitting just below 7 per cent at 6.71 per cent.