Housing charity Shelter is calling on the government to make urgent reforms to private renting to give families greater stability.
More than a quarter of families renting have moved home three or more times in the last five years, new research from the charity has found.
According to a Shelter and YouGov study of more than 3,700 private renters, 27% of renting families in England have moved three or more times in the last five years alone, the equivalent of over 400,000 families.
The study found that nearly half of renting parents (46%) had been forced borrow money or had fallen behind on other payments because of the costs associated with their last move.
Parents have also reported that the moves are having a damaging effect on their children, with than one in four saying that moving had a negative impact and many reporting that it left their children feeling distressed, upset and insecure.
The charity’s research also found that 65,000 privately renting families had to change their children’s school when they last had to move home.
Shelter has called on the government to make urgent reforms to private renting, including the introduction of longer term tenancies to give families increased security.
Campbell Robb, chief executive of Shelter, said: “Today’s sky high housing costs mean private renting is no longer just a stepping stone for young adults – it’s where a quarter of all families in England have to live. It’s shocking therefore that it is still not fit for purpose.
“With short-term contracts, sudden rent hikes and expensive moving costs putting huge pressure on family life, it’s no wonder that millions of parents are battling to give their children a stable home.
“We know the vast majority of parents are crying out for longer term tenancies, so it’s about time the government turned this into a reality and gave England’s 11 million private renters a better deal.”
Totally agree with Article it is a massive worrying for us a family to one day wake up and be told that we have to move because the landlord decides to sell or that they want to increase the rent and you cannot afford it anymore.
What I really think needs to happen is mortgages should be given based on what you have been able to pay out in rent. I have always lived in rented accommodation and am currently paying 725.00 per month. I have such good references and have never missed a payment and would not if I owned my own home. The down side over the years of renting is I have never been able to save for a deposit, so no mortgage. Let the government consider this as an option as well.
I totally agree. I am 44 years old, have been married for 8 years with two pre-school children. My husband and I are both working at a very high level in our jobs, but we live in the South of England so are never going to be in a position to afford to buy. I have been paying rent for over 30 years and have never ever missed a payment. My rent is currently £1350 pcm. I could have paid a mortgage and would be a totally reliable lender, but I cannot get the deposit together. Surely the Government needs to consider the deposit and the crazy cost of living in the south of England and put together a proposal that will work in this area. It is like a different part of the world to the North of England. Even the key workers scheme which has a cap of £60,000 pa, doesn’t work for any of us married people living in the South. I have worked every day of my life since the age of 13. I have never defaulted on any loans, never claimed benefits and always paid my taxes. Yet I cannot barely afford to live. AT the end of each month I have £20 a month to spend on my leisure budget and no disposable income for clothes or any luxuries. We live here because our family, and our children’s aunts, uncles and grandparents are here. My 3 year old has already moved twice. How many more times will he have to move before he gets to 18years old. And what are we going to do when we retire???? It’s all very depressing and scary.
This article is very true, I myself have moved 4 times in 4 years and looking at moving again, my children are 4 and 10 and it’s terribly unsettling for them and very expensive for myself. I have no option but to private rent which is certainly not cheap, my rent being £1050 per month which means I barely have anything left to live on for the rest of the month, and because it’s not my own property I am felt like a down and out citizen!! I do believe because of the lack of affordable housing these days that there should be some laws to protect the likes of myself and children.
Being and student and having a landlord who keeps telling you he is going to sell his house is the worst thing I can ever imagine. in four years I have moved three times. before I moved to this house, my landlord and I agreed it was going to be a long time let. Unfortunately, the agreement was not maintained for the last three months he has been coming with people in the house on my behalf and when I noticed that and confronted him he was bitter and promised not to extend my contract. He is now sending agents to value the property saying he is going to sell the house. My daughter who is doing her GCSE exams this year is so confused even though it is not her responsibility. As a mother, I feel as if I have let her down.
I think there should be stronger laws if one works hard to pay her rent and never miss a month of payment and still have to go through this problems.