Research Note; Private rents and family incomes

The private rental sector is fast becoming the default option for low-income working families, as home ownership remains out of reach for most, and supply of social housing deteriorates. 

In this analysis Shelter compares a modelled income of a low-income family (one full time and one part time worker) with reported rents for two bedroomed properties. Incomes are taken at the regional geographical level so the option of moving locally can be assessed. The results show that two thirds of local authorities are unaffordable to low-income renters without support from the benefit system. English Housing Survey data also shows that this modelled result is typical of the conditions faced by working families.