Rents for private housing in London have risen by more than a fifth since 2010.
The 20.9 per cent increase is the fastest in England and almost double the national average rise of 12.5 per cent, according to the Office for National Statistics. It is six times that of the North-east (3.4 per cent), where rents have risen the slowest.
The average household’s disposable income has risen by just 4 per cent between 2010 and 2015. This means that, in many parts of England, it has not kept pace with rental rises.
Campbell Robb, chief executive of housing charity Shelter, said many households were struggling to keep up.
“Millions of private renters are bearing the brunt of our housing crisis, forking out a huge chunk of their income for rent each month and coping with relentless rent rises.
“Every day we hear from families stuck in the rent trap – left with no choice but to stay in expensive and unstable private renting, and unable to save for a stable future in a home of their own.”
