North Lincolnshire tops the affordable rent charts in England and Wales

Market Place, Barton, in North Lincolnshire
-Credit: (Image: GrimsbyLive/Donna Clifford)


North Lincolnshire is the most affordable place to rent in England and Wales, according to recent Office for National Statistics (ONS) data.

Private renters in the local authority pay on average the lowest share of average household income on rent, compared to renters in all other council areas in England and Wales. The average rent in North Lincolnshire made up just 18.8 per cent of average private-renting household income.

North East Lincolnshire had a similarly low proportion, with 20.2 per cent of average private-renting household income spent on rent. Private renters in England paid an average of £1,178 a month in the financial year ending March 2023. This is equivalent to 34.2 per cent of the average household income.

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This average household income, from which all the proportions relate to, was £3,448 a month in England. Separate ONS data also shows average incomes in northern Lincolnshire rose faster this year than the UK-wide average.

The average UK full-time salary is £37,430, up 6.9 per cent compared to 2023. North and North East Lincolnshire have slightly lower average salary levels but have risen proportionately higher. It is up 12.3 per cent in North Lincolnshire, to £34,840. North East Lincolnshire has risen 8.2 per cent, to £34,575.

While ONS data suggests comparatively affordable rent levels in northern Lincolnshire, that does not mean strain on households is not being felt. North Lincolnshire Council's brief online survey in September for views on proposed national planning system changes showed in comments emphasis on "the need for more social housing and affordable homes, particularly for young people and the elderly". To meet legally required temporary accommodation for homeless households, North Lincolnshire also relies significantly on B&Bs and hotels.

Its proposed Local Plan, which sets out among other things housing plans for the area up to 2038, is under review because of expected higher annual housebuilding targets.

A January 2024-published housing needs assessment by North East Lincolnshire Council also found 1,295 people there in need of affordable housing. The government definition of this are homes for sale or rent at least 20 per lower than market rates. Most of the 1,295 figure is made up of 'overcrowded households'.

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