October 16, 2011
Latest Shelter Research Uncovers Unaffordable England
The latest research from UK charity ‘Shelter’ has uncovered the shocking fact that over half of the private rental properties in England are out of the financial reach of ‘ordinary’ working families.
The figures showed that typical rents in 55% of local authorities are more than a third of the average families take home wage.
‘Shelter’ Chief Executive, Campbell Robb said "We have become depressingly familiar with first-time buyers being priced out of the housing market, but the impact of unaffordable rents is more dramatic.
"With no cheaper alternative, ordinary people are forced to cut their spending on essentials like food and heating, or uproot and move away from jobs, schools and families."
The North - South divide was evident too, with the most expensive rent for a privately owned 2 bed in Chelsea and Kensington at £2,714 pcm, whilst the lowest was £394 in the Lancashire town of Burnley.
