"I think people reposition themselves in the new year."
Rentals were in demand across Wairarapa, and three-bedroom properties were always popular, however more families were looking for four bedrooms.
The Trade Me figures did not show any great changes in the market, and the 2 per cent rent increase could be skewed by one higher value rental, he said.
Mr Joblin was hopeful for an improved local economy in the coming year.
"There's quite a lot of confidence 2014 will be better than last year."
Nationwide the number of properties available for rent last quarter was down 2 per cent on a year ago.
Enquiries from tenants were up across the country, rising 5 per cent on the same time last year, while average rent was up 6 per cent.
Of the main centres, Canterbury renters paid the most in weekly rent payments - forking out an average of $535 - nearly $40 more than Auckland.
Trade Me's acting head of property, Jimmy McGee, pinpointed the Christchurch rebuild as a major driver behind the region's high rental figures.
Nationwide, one of the key drivers of the rental market may be the Reserve Bank's new lending restrictions on high-risk low-deposit home loans, he said.
"As the [lending restrictions] lock potential house owners out of the market, more people will be forced to sit tight in their rental homes as they keep saving hard for a deposit."
But he said the bigger driving force may be the improved economic outlook as higher employment rates and wages would put more money in renters' pockets - improving their capacity to pay rents. "There's strong underlying demand for rental properties. Rising consumer confidence means that asking prices may continue to rise strongly."
