Report Reveals a Rise in Families Renting Privately

Analysis of the latest English Housing Survey data reveals that the private rental sector provides homes to a fifth of the population, including nearly two million families with children.

The latest figures from the survey show that the private rented sector remains larger than the social rented sector, accounting for some 4.7 million households.

Over the last decade, the number of families with children in private rented housing has increased by nearly a million to represent 38 per cent of all households in the sector. This compares to 35 per cent in social housing. The proportion of those aged 35-44 has also substantially increased over this period to over a quarter.  

“The findings reiterate the importance of the private rented sector for families across the country. Larger than the social sector, and housing more families with children, the private rented sector provides much needed housing for nearly five million people” says the policy director of the Residential Landlords Association, David Smith. 

“The government needs to recognise its vital role in the housing market and implement pro-growth tax and planning policies to support the majority of landlords who are individuals to meet ever growing demand for rented housing” he adds.

Source: Letting Agent Today