A growing number of house owners are letting out their homes in order to rent a place in the area they want to buy, according to one leading agent.

The new trend of ‘let-to-rent’ helps give house hunters an advantage, Mark Crampton Smith of St Clements-based College and County explained.

He said: “Those who are looking to take advantage of the recovering market and move up may well consider placing themselves in pole position by letting their house and renting something in the area they are looking to buy.

“Property in the most desirable parts of Oxford now regularly changes hands without ever coming on the open market and so you have to be in the area to get a house there. This pattern is strengthening.

“One couple who are clients of ours have let their generously proportioned North Oxford home for well over £10,000 per month.

“This affords them the flexibility to rent out of town and look for a suitable property in the country and the strength of the North Oxford market will ensure a quick sale when they find something suitable to purchase,” he added.