Millions of private renters gain voting rights under new reforms
Generation Rent has claimed more than two million extra renters will be able to vote after the government’s change in plans for voting reforms.
The Labour government announced that 16- and 17-year-olds will be able to vote at the next general election and that it will introduce automatic voter registration.
Automatic Voter Registration will mean renters are added to the electoral register automatically, removing the need to re-register every time they move home.
Strengthen our ability to vote in elections
According to Generation Rent, automated voter registration will make voting easier for 91% of UK private renters aged 16 or over.
More than half of private renters (66%) are not registered at their current address. With 6.8 million private renters eligible to vote, Generation Rent says the reform could give 2.3 million more renters to vote at the next election.
Ben Twomey, chief executive of Generation Rent, said on X, formerly Twitter welcomed the change in voting reforms.
He said: “We welcome the government’s clear commitment to strengthen our ability to vote in elections.
“Private renters, often forced to move home several times between elections, are among the most at risk of falling off the electoral register.
“For the sake of our democracy, therefore, it is vital we remove barriers to voting for renters.
“Automatic Voter Registration will keep the vast majority of renters on the electoral register even as we move, protecting the opportunity for millions more voters to have their say.”
Comments
Have Your Say
Every day, landlords who want to influence policy and share real-world experience add their voice here. Your perspective helps keep the debate balanced.
Not a member yet? Join In Seconds
Login with
Previous Article
England's temporary accommodation crisis hits a record high
Member Since February 2018 - Comments: 627
3:50 PM, 23rd July 2025, About 9 months ago
What will trigger the automatic voter registration? I have Brits with full voting rights, os students with no voting rights and others with local but not national voting rights some of whom will eventually qualify for right to remain and, of course, devolution adds further complexities. So simple Mr Twomey.
Member Since March 2023 - Comments: 1506
5:20 PM, 23rd July 2025, About 9 months ago
Having worked for a credit referencing company I can tell you that there are a herd core of people that do NOT want to register for voting. Why, this makes them visible and they prefer to operate ‘under the radar’, thereby not making their address available to debt collector agencies. Once you are on voters roll systems the computer systems can link you to previous addresses and debts.
Also, would you rent a property to a 16 or 17 year old
Member Since January 2015 - Comments: 1431 - Articles: 1
6:38 PM, 23rd July 2025, About 9 months ago
Most 16-17 year olds are not well enough educated to be able to understand the implications of voting and are too easily swayed by social media and political and world untruths.
If 16-18 year olds are given electoral rights by definition that would make them eligible for jury service/duties.
What 16 or 17 year old has enough life skills, education or dare I say it common sense (though common sense has seemed to have been bred out of most of the UK population) to put someone away for life?
Not only that being confronted with the facts and photos of some murders/terrorist actions will likely affect their mental health and cost the NHS thousands of pounds for ongoing life treatment.
Many of those who voted Labour in the last General Election are deeply regretting their choice and would not repeat it. Starmer/Labour are desperately trying now to gain votes from the naïve, life inexperienced and frankly not well enough educated.
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3507 - Articles: 5
9:59 AM, 25th July 2025, About 9 months ago
I would never rent to a 16-17 year old. End of.