Eight years ago, tenants in 10 of Essex’s 14 boroughs were spending more than a third of their gross monthly income on rent.

The most affordable borough in the county in 2022-23 was Tendring, where tenants paid just over a quarter of their income on rent.

Across the county, rents as a percentage of income fell to their lowest level in nine financial years, with only Epping Forest above 33%.

It was the second most affordable place to rent in the east of England in 2022-23, after Hertsmere in Hertfordshire, where residents paid 36% of their income on rent.

Although the cost of private rent has risen, the Office for National Statistics said incomes have risen at a faster rate.

Barrie Blostone, who owns three rental properties in the area, said it had been a difficult time for both landlords and tenants.

“Landlords are already pulling out of the market and trying to sell properties. In East Anglia, for every tenancy that is advertised, there are around 20 people who want to get into those houses.”