With reports that a quarter of the population will be privately renting by the end of 2021, it is clear that the UK’s Private Rented Sector (PRS) is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to property ownership.
New data from insurers Direct Line for Business only goes to strengthen this argument, with a recent study revealing that 70% of UK renters have no intention of buying a home. The research supported the idea that the UK is moving toward a German Housing Model, where the majority of the population opt to rent, supported by government policy and encouraging attitudes toward long term renting.
In fact, further research shows that more people rent in Britain than almost anywhere else in Europe, with only Denmark, Austria and Germany having a lower percentage of home owners.
The reasons for this are varied but often come down to financial cost. With the average first-time buyer looking at prices double what they were just five years ago, it is understandable that home ownership is slipping through the fingers of younger generations, but interestingly that is not the only reason cited by responders for wanting to stay in the PRS.
The Direct Line for Business study shows that of the 12 million adults who said they don’t intent to buy property 22% said that the financial commitment of buying was a turn off, 9% said that they chose to rent so they could freely travel and 12% didn’t want to be tied to one place. An additional 22% commented that they didn’t want the hassle and cost of maintaining a property and would instead prefer a landlord to hold responsilbity for repairs.
Business manager at Direct Line for Business, Christina Dimitrov, said: “The UK housing market continues to change and we are seeing a major attitudinal shift when it comes to renting. While price is a factor, many people are increasingly comfortable with the flexibility afforded by renting a property rather than jumping into home ownership.”
The transition toward a new model of long-term renting is positive news for the future of the buy-to-let sector, with landlords able to support a growing pool of tenants and renters able to have greater choice in the market.
Are you a professional portfolio landlord or first time investor looking to capitalise on the success of the UK’s PRS? Enquire with yieldit today to find out more about selling your buy-to-let property, or to find out about our available investment opportunities.