Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by The Negotiator. Read the original article for full details.
Children Now More Likely Than Adults to Live in Private Rented Homes
A new report from the Resolution Foundation highlights significant changes in the UK private rented sector, with more children now living in privately rented homes than adults. The think tank found that 3.2 million children are currently living in privately rented accommodation, nearly triple the 1.1 million recorded in 2000-01.
According to the report, around 23% of children now live in rental properties, compared to 22% of working-age adults. This shift reflects the evolving nature of the private rented sector, which has grown from a short-term option for younger tenants into a long-term tenure for families.
The data also shows that Britain’s private rented sector has more than doubled in size since 2000, increasing from 5.1 million people in 2.5 million households to 12.9 million people in 5.1 million households. While renters in their 20s remain the most likely age group to rent privately, the greatest growth has occurred among those in their 30s. The proportion of people in their 30s living in the private rented sector has risen from 10% in 2000-01 to 28% in 2024-25.
The report notes that more than a quarter of children under one year old now live in privately rented homes, with families increasingly remaining in the sector for longer periods. The Resolution Foundation states that for a growing number of people, the private rented sector is becoming a permanent home rather than a temporary stop on the way to home ownership or a social tenancy.
One effect of this changing renter profile is a greater focus on standards and stability across the sector. The report highlights that one-in-six private renters say their housing situation is not secure enough for them to make long-term decisions.
These findings underline the importance for letting agents and inventory clerks to be aware of the shifting demographics and expectations within the UK rental market.
Source: The Negotiator