By Chris Story

Last updated at 11:39, Monday, 29 October 2012

Rapidly rising rental rates could price a generation out of even renting a home in Cumbria.

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The National Housing Federation (NHF) claims rent rates in the private sector are increasing faster than house prices.

And it has predicted that some Cumbrians could be forced to fork out an extra £200-a-month to landlords within the next eight years.

The construction industry lobbying group also claims that rising costs – fuelled by a shortage of homes – may force thousands more to ask the Government for help to pay their way.

It has warned that the scenario means the county’s housing market could become “unsustainable”.

The shortage of affordable homes to buy and rent has frequently been flagged up as one of the major obstacles facing the county, a factor blamed for forcing many out of the communities where their families have lived for generations.

Monica Burns, lead manager for the NHF in Cumbria, says that while the focus of successive Governments has been on house prices, a “blind eye” has been turned to the “steady and unabated rise of the cost to privately rent”.

She said: “Those who can’t buy a house instead rent their home privately. But millions are already struggling to keep up with the rising costs and they are set to rise steeply over the next few years.

“We now have the very real prospect that we have a generation that will be priced out of renting a home in Cumbria, let alone buying one.”

In its Home Truths 2012 report, which analyses and forecasts England’s housing market, the NHF claims rent rates could rise by a third by 2020.

In Carlisle, it says average monthly rents in the private sector are £420 and predicts that will rise to £575.

People in Eden face an even greater rise, according to the NHF, of £176 from £478 to £654. Rates in Allerdale are predicted to increase from £438 to £600, while those in South Lakeland are tipped for the biggest jump – £196-a-month to £729. Levels in Copeland and Barrow are expected to rise by £163 and £154 respectively.

The NHF is calling on councils to release pockets of land at cut prices to allow affordable homes to be built.

“There just aren’t enough homes and land is a major issue,” Ms Burns added.

Carlisle City Council has already worked with housing associations to release some land for homes. Penrithhas also seen some homes built.

Cumbrian MP Tim Farron said: “There is a chronic need for housing. I want all of Cumbria’s MPs to come together and push for a coordinated Government strategy. We need to work tirelessly to put a roof over every family’s head.”

CStory@cngroup.co.uk

First published at 11:30, Monday, 29 October 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk