Rents rocket as demand soars along Elizabeth Line
12 months ago
Generation Rent calls for rent freeze amid growing homelessness
12:01 AM, 6th May 2025, 12 months ago
19
Generation Rent has issued an urgent call for the UK government to cap rising rents, pointing to a deepening housing crisis that has left record numbers of families in temporary accommodation.
Its plea follows the release of the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government’s statutory homelessness statistics for October to December 2024, which reveal a stark rise in homelessness and housing insecurity across the nation.
The data shows 127,890 households were living in temporary accommodation by 31 December 2024, a 1.5% increase from the previous quarter and a 13.6% surge compared to the previous year. This translates to 165,510 individuals, including children, with a 13.7% rise from December 2023.
‘Slam the brakes on soaring rents’
Dan Wilson Craw, the organisation’s deputy chief executive, said: “Our rental system is broken. With rent prices soaring far beyond what we earn, people become trapped living in temporary accommodation because they simply can’t find somewhere affordable to live.
“People need change now. It must intervene to slam the brakes on soaring rents, while also unfreezing Local Housing Allowance so those on low incomes have more options in finding a home.”
He added: “More and more children are spending their formative years trapped living in temporary accommodation, often in overcrowded and unsafe conditions and at huge cost to local authorities.
“This is a national scandal that demands government action.”
Families in temporary accommodation
The data shows that many families are often stuck in temporary accommodation for more than five years.
The statistics also reveal that 83,800 households were assessed as homeless or at risk of homelessness in the final quarter of 2024, a 7.7% drop from the same period in 2023.
However, Generation Rent says that Assured Shorthold Tenancies remain the leading cause of ‘housing instability’, contributing to 36.5% of cases where councils owed a prevention duty. Also, 5,820 households faced homelessness due to Section 21 eviction notices, down 1.4% from the previous year.
In total, 17,690 households were granted main homelessness duty status, a 9.3% rise from 2023.
Tags:
generation rent, homelessness statistics, Local Housing Allowance, rent freeze, Section 21 Notice, temporary accommodation, UK government, UK Housing Crisis
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Member Since June 2015 - Comments: 333
10:54 AM, 6th May 2025, About 12 months ago
If all of our costs were capped or frozen they may have a point. However, in the real world we experience massive cost increases. If we can’t pass them on we won’t remain in the industry. There are plenty of other better things to invest in without the hassle of running around after tenants.
Member Since December 2015 - Comments: 292
11:17 AM, 6th May 2025, About 12 months ago
Let them have it. Whatever their little hearts desire!
Let them learn the hard way.
Member Since September 2015 - Comments: 1013
12:19 PM, 6th May 2025, About 12 months ago
You couldn’t make it up! What a bunch of woke idiots.
They’ve spent the last decade or more demanding (and getting) more tenants rights & more regulations. All of which have a cost, which translates to higher rents and now they’re complaining that rents are increasing.
If successful (which they will probably be with this Government), what will they demand when Landlord have to sell as they’ll be losing money? Demand a ban on Landlords selling up?
Reap what you sow.
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 754
12:28 PM, 6th May 2025, About 12 months ago
“ Also, 5,820 households faced homelessness due to Section 21 eviction notices, down 1.4% from the previous year.”
Interesting statistic. A decease in S21s?
Member Since December 2019 - Comments: 241
2:19 PM, 6th May 2025, About 12 months ago
If the rents are capped then more landlords will sell as costs have increased and rents eill not keep in line with increaesed costs , more tenants without homes.
Member Since December 2023 - Comments: 1581
2:28 PM, 6th May 2025, About 12 months ago
Perfect timing.
I’m just about to issue a new AST to my existing tenant.
Having increased the rent by 15% last year, I planned to offer a modest 5% increase this year.
With GR calling for a rent freeze, I’ve amended the offer to 15% this year – just in case.
Getting close to market rates.
Member Since April 2025 - Comments: 9
2:32 PM, 6th May 2025, About 12 months ago
I fail to see how a government can create the right to control the cost of renting because it’s already controlled by the law of supply and demand. For every empty property in this country there’s at least 5 prospective renters – and that’s just in the cheaper regions! Trying to control rents is like telling a company it has to cut the price of it’s products or services. Wouldn’t we all be happy if they did this with utility companies for instance? My water bill from Southern Water has just gone up by 50%! It’s a futile wish which will only give those on higher wages more choice and will go nowhere in helping those who really can’t afford any lease no matter how reasonable it may be.
Member Since September 2022 - Comments: 192
3:03 PM, 6th May 2025, About 12 months ago
Why is Property 118 giving this Political group any publicity at All ?
With a staff of perhaps 20 people with a very Woke and left wing view on life you can Never Win when arguing with Idiots
Why not speak to Large Lettings Agents and Successful Landlords to help your readers !
Good Advice on how to run a Rental business 👏 and Manage BTL properties would be better.
If GR wants less homelessness then they should speak to the Labour government about the 1,500,000 new homes they are building right now 😉
Member Since December 2015 - Comments: 292
4:18 PM, 6th May 2025, About 12 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Valerie Hollylee at 06/05/2025 – 14:32
They are not landlords.
Member Since March 2015 - Comments: 122
7:19 AM, 7th May 2025, About 12 months ago
“Supply and demand”
Everything is costing more and unfortunately the costs are passed to the consumer – in this instance it is the tenants.
Perhaps they need to look at the damage they and their buddies Shelter have caused