London found to be the only region to have unaffordable rent

Only one region in England, Wales and Northern Ireland had unaffordable rent, according to official figures.

On average, Londoners paid 35% of their household income on rent in the year to March 2022, a percentage that the Office of National Statistics (ONS) classes as unaffordable.

That percent of income was equivalent to £1,450.

Two areas were said to be the most affordable: Yorkshire and The Humber.

Rent in both regions was 23% of average household income, the ONS said.

Despite recent evidence that rents are rising, the latest data from the ONS showed there was no “clear pattern” that private rents had increased faster than the income of renters since 2013.

Most recent data, that extends beyond the March 2022 time period, showed average basic wages rose by 7.8% during the three months to August, compared to a year earlier, while inflation stood at 6.7% in the 12 months to September.

At roughly the same period – up to August – the ONS said rents rose 5.5%.

There is, however, a pattern of house prices increasing faster than incomes and inflation, the ONS added. Home owners are now in the minority in the UK as the majority of people are renters, according to analysis by Sky News.

Private renters on a median household income – the mid point between the highest and lowest wage – spent 26% of their income on a mid-priced rental in England, while in Wales the figure was 23% and in Northern Ireland was 25%.

But lower income homes spent a greater chunk of their earnings on rent in all countries, with wealthier households spending a lower proportion.

The ONS said it is working to include rental data for Scotland in future publications.