East Midlands 'Faces Highest Private Sector Rent Rise'

The East Midlands will see the highest rise in private sector housing rents in England over the next eight years, a housing forecast suggests.  Average private rents in the region will rise by 53% to more than £780 a month by 2020, the National Housing Federation (NHF) predicts. The average estimated rent increase in England in that period will be 47%.  Housing Minister Mark Prisk said the government was determined "to attract new players to the market".  The price predictions are based on economic indicators such as the retail price index, the NHF said.  The federation, which represents housing associations in England, wants the government to hand over more brown-field sites for development.  Read more on the BBC website.