45% of tenants are struggling to pay rent – ONS

45% of tenants are struggling to pay rent – ONS

0:05 AM, 11th September 2023, About 8 months ago 3

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An Office for National Statistics (ONS) survey has revealed that 45% of renters and homeowners say they are struggling to pay their rent or mortgage. 

It also found that 52% are not having problems paying and 2% didn’t know.

However, 2% of respondents said they were behind on rent or mortgage payments and 97% were not.

When asked whether it was easy to pay the rent or mortgage, 13% said it was very easy, 39% said it was somewhat easy, while 33% said it was ‘somewhat difficult’.

The survey shows that 9% of tenants or homeowners are finding it ‘very difficult’ to pay.

Rent or mortgage rise

The survey also found that 45% of tenants and homeowners saw their rent or mortgage rise in the past six months – that’s up from 35% in the same survey a year ago.

The ONS says: “42% reported finding it very or somewhat difficult affording these payments.”

Seen an increase in their cost of living

More than half (51%) of those surveyed by the ONS said they had seen an increase in their cost of living.

And in a bid to cut rising bills, they had cut non-essentials (67%), 50% had been bargain-hunting and 45% had reduced how much they spent on food.

However, the ONS says that food costs have surged, with 52% paying more than usual in the last two weeks – up from 43% a month ago.

Top concerns are for the UK

The ONS survey also asked people what their top concerns are for the UK.

For 89% it is the cost of living (89%), the NHS for 86%, the economy for 73% and housing for 64%.

For climate change/environment, 63% of respondents said it was a concern.


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Comments

Teessider

11:56 AM, 11th September 2023, About 8 months ago

This is because rents are too high.

Rents are too high because U.K. property prices, fuelled by ridiculously low interest rates and encouraged by government, have risen to ridiculous levels.

Teessider

21:19 PM, 11th September 2023, About 8 months ago

Mortgages and rent used to be the first bill people paid. It kept a roof over your head.

Nowadays, o think people would be more inclined to make sure their mobile phone bills are paid or perhaps, their broadband bill.

David James

14:10 PM, 12th September 2023, About 8 months ago

yeah, In my experience, the rising cost of housing and the impact on rental affordability is a significant concern. It's true that property prices have seen substantial increases in recent years, and low interest rates have played a role in driving demand. As a result, many individuals are finding it increasingly challenging to manage their housing expenses, whether through rent or mortgage payments.

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