Rents are at their highest level and now account for nearly half of the average British family's monthly earnings.
The average rent has risen to £890 ($1760) a month - 46 per cent of the typical tenant's net income.
In London, rent accounts for more than three-quarters of average earnings.
Landlords in the capital charge an average of £2075 per month, while the typical household brings in £2721 in net monthly income.
A survey shows that average monthly rents rose by 1.6 per cent last month.
The homelessness charity Shelter said people who could not afford to own a property were now struggling to meet rental costs.
Chief executive Campbell Robb said: " "With no cheaper alternative, ordinary people are forced to cut their spending on essentials like food and heating, or uproot and move away from jobs, schools and families."
- Independent