The 'stunning' 'best-kept secret', as 9 cheapest places to rent a home in the UK are revealed

Hartlepool tops Zoopla’s list of the cheapest places in which to rent a home, followed by East Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway, in Scotland.

Sunderland, South Tyneside, Burnley, Redcar and Cleveland, Allerdale District and County Durham also feature in the 9 cheapest places to rent.

The average monthly rent in Hartlepool is £578, which is less than half the UK-wide average of £1,318.

Blackhall Colliery, Seaton Carew and The Headland are among the most popular places to live in Hartlepool.

While you may pay a little more than the Hartlepool average to rent there, they are still very affordable compared with other parts of the UK.

The Headland, which has been described as a hidden gem, boasts spectacular coastal views, a strong sense of community and excellent pubs.

One person called it an ‘absolutely stunning’ place to live, another called it ‘beautiful and peaceful’, and a third called it ‘the North East’s best-kept secret’.

One resident described how they and their family of six had recently moved up there from Sheffield and loved living there.

“We’re so happy with our move,” they said, adding: “My brother had never visited Hartlepool until we moved, but he likes it that much he's buying a house up here too, from Rotherham.”

Another resident said: “The Headland area is absolutely beautiful and peaceful, with the sea on your doorstep, and a five-bedroom gorgeous Victorian house for less than £250,000.

“You have great pubs, the marina, lots of facilities and fantastic road/rail links, with the train to London King’s Cross in just over three hours. Visit yourself on a sunny day and there is nowhere better.”

The most expensive place in which to rent in the UK is the London borough of Kensington and Chelsea, with an average monthly rent of £3,531.

The capital, unsurprisingly, dominates the list of most expensive areas for renters, with other London boroughs occupying the rest of the top five spots.

Below are the 9 cheapest places in the UK in which to rent, listed in reverse order, with the cheapest last. They all have an average monthly rent of £666 or less.

If you’re considering a move, you might be interested in this list of the best places to live in the UK where houses are still affordable.