Mon, 18 Aug 2025

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 'Unaffordable' rents well over a third of income

Bristol and Bath are now in the top 20 least affordable places to rent in England, the ONS says.

* Rent prices in Bristol have risen to over 44.6% of household income, making them unaffordable according to the Office of National Statistics (ONS).
* This is above the 30% threshold considered "affordable" by the ONS.
* Bristol and Bath are among the top 20 least affordable local authorities in the country.
* The number of renters in Bristol has consistently remained above 30% since 2016, with a peak of 46.9% in 2018.
* Factors such as universities (Bristol has two) and commuter routes to larger cities have driven up rent prices.
* Landlords are selling up due to concerns about regulation and tax costs, leading to more tenants competing for fewer properties and higher rents.
* Average rent costs in Bath and North East Somerset also rose to 42.7% of household incomes in 2024, above 40% since 2016.
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