Rents in the private sector have been falling in real terms according to an independent study commissioned by the Greater London Assembly’s Housing Committee and carried out by the respected Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research.

The research confirms that between 2006 and 2013 private sector rents increased by less than inflation and average wage rises both in London and in England as a whole. Drawing on a survey of landlords in London, the report also finds that 45% said they would sell all of their housing stock and leave the market altogether if they were legally required to cut rents.

The findings come not long after the accounting firm PwC predicted that 25% of households in the UK would be in private rented housing by 2025.

Commenting on the findings, David Smith, policy director for the Residential Landlords Association said: “Today’s report bursts the myth, peddled by some that rents are spiralling out of control. Whilst the RLA accepts that there are some areas, especially in London, where rents are high, this is quite simply as a result of a lack of supply.”