Clear data on the rise in rent - over the past five years

Trade Me's Rental Price Index reveals the median weekly cost has risen 25 percent since March 2020 - to 640 dollars.

The lockdown mandate increased market demand.

Property Customer Director, Gavin Lloyd says Bay of Plenty now takes the title for the most expensive region - at 680 dollars a week.

He says the region's prices have spiked - overtaking Auckland and Wellington.