If you are currently renting in Luton, you might want to consider a change of address. New research has declared it one of the worst cities to rent in the UK.
Related: Zoopla reveals that rents are on the rise at a record rate...but there is some good news
When it comes to finding somewhere to rent it isn't just rent prices that can make or break a city for you. New research, commissioned by Insulation Express, has looked into a number of factors to reveal the best and worst cities to rent in.
The study examined the average salary spent on rent, tenant evictions, private rented properties rate, annual rental price rises, unemployment and crime rate.
Luton claimed the title as the worst city to rent in the UK. Just outside of London, it was found to have the highest number of private tenant evictions. The average person was also found to be paying out 41 per cent of their salary on rent.
Leicester and Reading came in second and third place. However, Manchester, which came in fourth place was found to have the highest crime rate and joint second-highest unemployment rate.
Worst cities to rent in the UK
| City | Percentage of income spent on rent | Eviction rate | Private rented properties rate | Annual Rental Price Rise | Unemployment rate | Crime rate |
| 1. Luton | 41.1 | 22.3 | 65 | 1.5 | 3.3 | 85.3 |
| 2. Leicester | 33.1 | 13.5 | 51 | 2.1 | 3.9 | 85.5 |
| 3. Reading | 49 | 12.6 | 51.3 | 1.4 | 3.3 | 68.7 |
| 4. Manchester | 34.2 | 20.3 | 123.2 | 1.2 | 4.2 | 164.1 |
| 5. Newport | 23.3 | 22.1 | 13.3 | 1.2 | 3 | 98.6 |
| 5. Nottingham | 30.4 | 11.7 | 36.1 | 1.9 | 3.9 | 94.2 |
| 5. Belfast | 31.2 | N/A | 86 | 2.2 | 2.3 | 144.33 |
| 6. Preston | 26.6 | 12 | 34.6 | 1.2 | 4.2 | 102.3 |
| 7. Wolverhampton | 26.1 | 16.7 | 51.5 | 1.3 | 4.5 | 89.9 |
| 7. Northampton | 35.4 | 21.1 | 74.3 | 2.1 | 3.7 | 81.9 |
Overall, Plymouth claimed the crown as the best city for renters. Not only were renters in the city paying out less than a third of their salary on rent, but it had the lowest unemployment rate and crime rate.
Edinburgh closely followed Plymouth as the best city for renters. The Scottish capital was revealed to have a bounty of private rented properties to choose from. Although those living in Edinburgh are shelling out a pretty penny of rent, spending 39 per cent of their income, it had one of the lowest rent price increases.
Best cities to rent in the UK
| City | Per cent of Income spent on rent | Eviction rate | Private rented properties rate | Annual rental price rise | Unemployment rate | Crime rate |
| 1. Plymouth | 32.0 | 8.8 | 80.4 | 1.9 | 2.8 | 59.4 |
| 2. Edinburgh | 38.9 | 5.7 | 133.3 | 0.6 | 3.8 | 60.4 |
| 3. Cardiff | 36.2 | 7.2 | 70 | 1.2 | 3 | 84.7 |
| 4. Glasgow | 30.6 | N/A | 98 | 0.6 | 3.8 | 71.7 |
| 4. Southhampton | 36.6 | 11.1 | 90.5 | 1.4 | 3.1 | 80.5 |
| 5. Leeds | 32.9 | 5.1 | 126.4 | 1.9 | 4.3 | 127.3 |
| 5. Swansea | 38.8 | 2.2 | 63.6 | 1.2 | 3 | 84.7 |
| 6. London | 64.2 | 0.5 | 148.9 | 1.2 | 4.3 | 102.4 |
| 7. Derby | 22 | 17.1 | 62.6 | 2.1 | 3.9 | 67.1 |
| 7. Newcastle upon Tyne | 27.8 | 12.1 | 106.2 | 0.5 | 6.2 | 104.2 |
Rental properties in the Scottish city increased by just 0.6 per cent in the last year. It also had a low crime rate with only 60 crimes recorded per 1,000 people.
Did your city land on the worst or best renter-friendly cities list?
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