One in 16 people rent out a property to boost their main income, according to a new study.

Insurance firm LV= said the "part-time landlords" receive an average of £678 in rent every month.

The trend is being driven by people moving to a new home and then renting out their old one, as well as those moving in with a partner and not being able to sell their own house, said the report.

John O'Roarke, of LV=, said: "Renting out a property can be a great way to cover your costs if you are unable to sell or want to hold on to a home and make some extra money from it, but it is not without risk.

"Landlords not only need cover for any damage to their property but they also need to think about their tenants and how they will house them if the property becomes uninhabitable, as well as the lost rental income."

The report was based on a survey of more than 2,000 adults.