Private renters struggle with big price rises to stay in homes

Private renters in South Tyneside have had to pay a lot more to keep a roof over their heads in the last year, new figures show.

- by Gazette Reporter

Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show the average private rent in the borough reached £689 per month in the year to July-up by nine per cent from £634 a year prior and 32% up from £522 a month five years ago.

The data comes as separate ONS data shows rent affordability in England has worsened-with people earning an average salary are expected to spend more than 30% of their income rent.