The rules, which were imposed by Ms Sturgeon when she was first minister, initially froze rents but in January last year capped increases at 3pc. Landlords cannot increase the rent they charge tenants during a tenancy and can only do so when taking on a new tenant.

They have also been forbidden from evicting tenants for well over a year, however, the ban on evictions is expected to lapse at the end of March.

The surging cost of renting in Scotland contrasts with London, which has historically been at the sharp end of national increases to rent.

In the capital, price growth has slowed rapidly over the last year with rents up by just 5.1pc, down from 15.3pc a year ago, Zoopla’s research showed.

Rents in London were still the most expensive covered by Zoopla’s data, at £2,121 on average per month, followed by Bristol at £1,389. The average British household now pays £1,223 per month.

The average rent in Glasgow is now £951 per month, while tenants in Edinburgh pay on average £1,263.

Both are among the few cities in the country where prices continue to rise by double digits, at 10.9pc and 11.5pc respectively.

Tenants’ Rights Minister Patrick Harvie said: “Our emergency legislation has led the way at a time when rents have been rising across the UK, stabilising rents to help tenants to stay in their homes.

“Since 1 April 2023, private landlords with a tenancy subject to the cap have been able to increase a tenant’s rent in-tenancy by up to 3pc or can apply to Rent Service Scotland for approval of an increase of up to 6pc in specific circumstances.

“Rental market challenges are being felt across the UK, with interest rates and tax increasing pressure on tenants and landlords, but it is only tenants in Scotland who have been protected from in-tenancy increases to their rent. Elsewhere private tenants have faced rises both within and between tenancies.

“We will introduce a Housing Bill to deliver a New Deal for Tenants, including the introduction of long-term rent controls for the private rented sector.”