National Housing Federation warns of rising rent prices

The cost of renting property in the South East and South West of England could rocket over the next decade, the National Housing Federation has warned.

The federation, which represents housing associations, said house prices rising well above salaries meant more people had been forced to rent, driving prices up.

It estimates rents in the South East which now average £846, could go up to £1,315 by 2022. In the South West, the figure could rise from £661 to £981.

Aimee Watts from Basingstoke in Hampshire has had to move back in with her parents because she could not afford to pay rent on a property.