York rent levels are highest in Yorkshire (From York Press)

York rent levels are highest in Yorkshire

9:05am Friday 14th October 2011

RENTING a place to live in York is more expensive than anywhere else in Yorkshire, new figures have revealed.

A report by charity for the homeless Shelter has shown average rent levels for a two-bedroom property in the city between last October and April this year were £648 a month, £168 more than the rate for the whole of Yorkshire and the Humber.

The findings also said renting ate up 39 per cent of an average York resident’s monthly pay packet, compared with 29 per cent across the county. Rents for a one-bedroom flat in the city were £531 a month, rising to £801 for a three-bedroom property and £1,287 for a four-bedroom house.

York Central MP Hugh Bayley has now written to Housing Minister Grant Shapps airing his fears that most of the city’s rental accommodation is rising out of the reach of local people, saying they are left with a shortfall because York’s housing benefits are based on lower average rents from other areas.

“Rents in York are similar to those in the affluent south-east, where average earnings are much higher,” said Mr Bayley.

“In York, the average salary is £24,738 and people are having to pay an average of £648 per month for a two-bedroom flat.

“This is the average, and many people are paying much higher rents each month.

“I am aware of people from York having to move away from their families and friends because they cannot afford the rent, and when they move away from York, they are much more likely to be unemployed.”

Mr Bayley said he wanted Mr Shapps to treat York as “a special case” when assesing housing benefits, and for their levels to reflect higher rent costs in the city.

“The Local Housing Allowance is the figure used to calculate benefits and it should be based on the rents people actually pay in York,” he said.

“I am pressing the Government for urgent action to stop York residents being priced out of their own city. I want the minister to bring the Government’s house-building policies and housing benefits into line with real needs in our city.”