09-02-2025
Two Sussex local authorities in UK's five most expensive for renters
Two local authorities in Sussex have been named in the UK's five least affordable for renters.
According to Canopy's 2024 end-of-year Rental Affordability Index, Adur and Lewes are among the most expensive local authority areas for tenants.
Adur tops the list nationwide, with the average tenant spending 72.6 per cent of their salary on rent.
This is attributed to the low average salary of £21,482 per year, with monthly rental costs averaging £927.
The 72.6 per cent figure is significantly higher than the second most unaffordable area, South Staffordshire, where tenants spend 56.8 per cent of their income on rent.
Lewes ranks fifth on the list, with renters spending 52.1 per cent of their salary on rent on average.
The average salary in Lewes is £25,271, with rental costs of £1,072 per month.
Chris Hutchinson, CEO at Canopy, said: "On average, renters are now spending 35.7 per cent of their take-home salary on rental payments.
"This figure alone paints a sobering picture of the financial strain faced by tenants, but the situation becomes even more severe in certain areas.
"The shortage of affordable rental properties, coupled with rising living costs, leaves many renters with little left to save or spend on other necessities.
"For those on lower incomes, this creates a precarious situation, with many households one unexpected expense away from financial crisis."
Mid and East Antrim in Northern Ireland was named as the most affordable local authority, with tenants on average spending only 22.9 per cent of their wages on rent.
