Rutland one of most expensive areas to rent for young people outside London
Four-in-ten under 30 year old's are spending over 30% of their income on rent
New data suggests that Rutland is one of the most expensive places to live for young renters outside of London.
Figures from property market consultancy Dataloft show that our county is one of only two areas in the UK, not in the capital, where under-30s spend an average of 30-35% of their income on rent.
The data shows four-in-ten in the age group are now spending over 30% of their income on rent across the UK, a five-year high.
Campaigners across the UK are calling on the government to introduce a nationwide rent-cap.
What's the reason?
De Montford University Leicester Economics Professor, Edward Cartwright, says a housing shortage is just one of causes:
'Rent ends up being a big proportion of income if people have low incomes. Trying to boost wages and incomes would be one way to go. Then on the other side, fixing the housing market, getting more supply on board - more affordable smaller housing.'
'If someone wants to spend a lot of money on living in a nice place then, that's their choice. I think what we're seeing is though, is that people who would like to have cheaper accommodation, maybe being forced to share with flat mates and still having a very high rent are, in essence, getting the worst of it.'
'...Where it's not necessarily the best place they would want to rent, and they're having to pay a lot for it.
What's being done to help?
The Government said it recognised that rent is a difficult expense to pay during the cost-of-living crisis, and that action was being taken through it's £37bn support package to help.
They said the decision to ban no-fault evictions would also provide renters with a "fairer deal", while proposals would give tenants a better ability to challenge unjustified increases in rent and poor conditions.