Ash Citizens Advice has published the 2019 update to its Report on the affordability of private rented property.  A summary of the Report is shown below.

If you wish to read the full Report, click Private sector rent March 2019

Summary

Since Autumn 2016 we have been regularly reviewing whether the private rented sector is realistically “affordable” in our area. To date the same conclusions have been reached:

• Rents are above an “affordable” level.
• The Local Housing Allowance relevant to our area does not reflect current values.

In Spring 2019 we carried out another “spot check” of the private rented sector to see if there had been any movement in rents.

Our findings are as follows:

• Rents for 1 bedroom properties have increased compared to a year ago, and are more comparable to autumn 2016 and 2017. However, they have decreased for 2 and 3 bedroom properties in the past year, but again are more comparable to autumn 2016 and 2017.
• The Local Housing Allowance relevant to our area still does not reflect current values.
• Rents continue to be above an “affordable” level.