The ending of an assured shorthold tenancy with a private landlord was the most common reason for homelessness in the first quarter of this year.

Official figures from the Department for Communities and Local Government says that the ending of a private tenancy was responsible for 31% of all households accepted as homeless in England between January and March.

The figure equated to 4,650 households.

The statistic rose to 41% in London, representing 2,040 homeless households.

The report says: “The end of an assured shorthold tenancy has been an increasingly common cause of loss of last home over the last six years, rising from 4,580 (11% of all cases in 2009/10) to 17,900 (31% of cases in 2015/16).

“This has happened during a time when the private rented sector has doubled in size (since 2002) and now houses 4.3m households (2015/16).”

The total number of households accepted as being statutorily homeless in England between January and March was 14,780.

This was 2% up on the previous quarter and 9% up on the same quarter last year.

The total number of households in temporary accommodation on March 31 was 71,540, up 11% on the same date last year.

Half of households (51%) applying for housing assistance under homelessness legislation were accepted as homeless, and the rest were rejected.