House rental prices in Barnet are costing the average family more than half their earnings, according to research by a housing charity.

A Government housing figures study by Shelter has revealed the average private rent in the borough takes up 56 per cent of the average family earnings.

The study, published today, showed that in 23 of the 32 London boroughs, private rents were priced at more than half the average family income – an increase on the 19 boroughs last year.

In December, census figures showed the number of homes privately rented in the capital had risen by two thirds to 25 per cent since 2001.