41% of landlords plan to increase rents during 2011, with 55% planning to keep rents at 2010 levels, according to research from buy-to-let lender Paragon.

Only 4% of landlords plan to reduce the rent they charge. 30.7% plan to increase rents by up to 4% of the current value, with 10% aiming to increase the rent they charge tenants by between 4% and 8%.

45% of landlords believe tenant demand will continue to grow during the year, with 44% forecasting that it will stabilise.

Nigel Terrington, , Paragon Group chief executive, said: “Landlords are in a strong position. Tenant demand has risen faster than supply during 2010 and that is expected to continue well into 2011. This is reflected in landlords’ expectations of future levels of tenant demand and also the rent they are planning to charge for their properties.