BRADFORD is one of the minority of areas where rental properties are becoming more affordable, bucking the trend for rental costs outpacing income rises across the country.

Data from Shelter shows that rental rates across England have increased significantly more than household incomes since 2011, with the housing charity calling on the Government to build more affordable homes to meet the growing need for reasonable rents.

In Bradford, the average rental cost of a two-bedroom home increased 9 per cent between 2011 and 2017. Meanwhile, the average household income growth was 10 per cent. In the 2017-18 financial year, the average monthly rent of a two-bedroom home in Bradford cost £514.

But it was a different picture across England, where the average rental cost leapt by 16% - while incomes increased by 10%.

Shelter called on the Government to come up with a plan for social housing, to ensure people on low income jobs can find somewhere affordable to rent.