We were paying £875 a month in rent for a 2 bed terraced house in Stoke. Renting generally costs a higher % of people's income than mortgage payments which makes it more difficult to put money aside for a deposit. It's a good thing that daft mortgages are a thing of the past but it's just one part of the picture of fewer people in permanent employment, high house prices and more people privately renting than before
Sorry mate but £875 to rent a 2 bed terrace in Stoke seems very high to me. Unless there are aspects to the property I am not aware of the average price should be £650 to £700.