Rent takes up more than half of an individual's average income in Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster, Hammersmith and Fulham and Ealing.

The average percentage of income spent on rent in Kensington & Chelsea is 69%, the highest proportion in London, followed by Westminster with 59%, Hammersmith & Fulham in third place with an average of 54%, and Ealing in eighth place with 52% of salaries going solely on rent.

The Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings shows average weekly earnings for full-time workers in Ealing to be £575, and the median weekly rent to be £300.

Dr Rupa Huq, Labour candidate for Ealing Central and Acton, said: “With people now paying more than half their income on rent, many will soon be forced to leave our area – leaving only the rich able to live here. It would be a scandal if teachers, nurses and other professionals were forced out of the constituency.

“Now more than ever, we need action to give renters longer, more secure tenancies and put a cap on soaring rents.”

Rupa Huq

Rent costs more than half of income in 13 of London’s 32 boroughs, and these figures are before tax is taken into account.

A charity worker, who lives on the Brentham Estate, in Ealing, with his wife, said: “Renting privately is so expensive. We had to pay an agency hundreds of pounds to basically run a credit check that anyone could do.

"My wife and I fear telling the landlord about any of the problems with the flat in case he puts the rent up even more.

"Our friends and family constantly judge us for not living somewhere cheaper outside of London, but this is our home and what kind of place would it be if only the rich lived here?"