People looking to move during the current downturn in the housing market might be better off becoming an "amateur landlord", reports the Independent.

According to the paper, rental yields are steadily rising and could more than cover the cost of mortgage repayments.

With house prices falling, many homeowners are looking to postpone selling their property until the market returns to normal and, according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the number of instructions to let received by lettings agents has reached a ten-year high.

David Hollingworth of London & Country Mortgages told the paper: "If you let the property and don''t tell [your lender], you''ll be in breach of the terms of your mortgage."

"If you only plan to rent out your place temporarily, then your lender might not demand you convert to a buy-to-let mortgage."

According to Bloomberg, 37 per cent more estate agents recorded a rise in new rental contracts than reported a fall.

Search for estate agents in your area.