Latest figures on the PRS show why we need a national private renters’ campaign

The latest English Housing Survey was released last month, covering the period from April 2012 to March 2013, based on field surveys of a sample of 13,652 households.

The survey covers all housing tenures but has a particular resonance for private renters. As has been widely reported, the PRS is now the second largest housing tenure behind home ownership, at four million households. This amounts to 9.1 million private renters in England, calculated multiplying the number of households by average PRS renter size. Unfortunately the statistics do not paint a good picture for private renters and show why campaigning on these issues is so vital.

A lifetime of renting for more of us?

A flurry of news reports in the past week have told many of us what we’re already thinking: more private renters are facing a lifetime of renting.

First, the Resolution Foundation said that, in ten years’ time, 90% of under-35s on modest incomes will be renting for life.

Then, PwC said 40% of Londoners will be renting from a private landlord by 2025.

And today, the government-commissioned English Housing Survey found that 57% of private renters expect to buy their home – down from 61% in the previous year’s report.

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Individual Advice

Generation Rent can’t offer advice about individual problems. Here are a few organisations that can:

You might also find quick but informal help on ACORN’s Facebook forum, and there are more suggestions on The Renters Guide.