TradeMe is backing up what many have long suspected, Christchurch landlords are hiking their rental prices.

TradeMe's first Property Rental Price Index shows the average weekly rent in the city has soared by 20 percent in the last year, to a new record high of $510 per week.

Spokesman Nigel Jeffries says while there's no firm data to back up price gouging, it would seem its common place.

"Anecdotally we do hear that there's all sorts of behaviours going on as people try to take opportunity to get the best investment return on their rental property that they can."