Generation Rent claims renting harms a tenant’s mental health

Renting privately in England is apparently so traumatic that it’s having a devastating impact on tenants’ mental health, Generation Rent reports.

The tenant campaign group has carried out a survey and found that almost nine in 10 renters report that their mental health has been negatively affected by their housing situation.

Nearly two in five said it has impacted their physical health.

The survey, by the group and the National Survivor User Network (NSUN), received responses from 814 private renters.

‘Landlords don’t need a reason to evict’

Ben Twomey, the chief executive of Generation Rent, said: “Because landlords don’t need a reason to evict us, renters live in constant insecurity which does incredible damage to our psychological wellbeing.

“It’s no surprise that if you’ve experienced a Section 21 eviction then you are much more likely to live in fear of another.

“One in five homes are privately rented, yet renting in England is time and again proven to be woefully inadequate to meet the basic needs of individuals and families.”

He added: “Now, more than ever, we are in desperate need of vital rental reforms. Westminster is bringing forward a new law to improve security for renters, but it must be made stronger to stop back-door evictions happening through unaffordable rent hikes.

“This, as well as more funding for local councils and more social and affordable homes, is how we will end the mental health crisis at the heart of private renting.”

‘Issues with private renting’

Amy Wells, the senior communications and membership manager at NSUN, said: “This research spotlights the ways in which issues with private renting, such as affordability, disrepair and the threat of eviction, impacts our mental health by not allowing us to feel in control of our lives in a safe and stable home environment.

“We call for urgent change to the UK private renting system, including through a strengthened Renters’ Rights Bill and improved social security support to help address the spiralling costs of privately renting.”

The survey also found that:

• More than three-quarters of private renters worry about affording their rent each month
• More than four in five renters worry about being evicted
• Overwhelmingly, renters felt stressed when reporting repairs to their landlord or letting agent

Around half of renters state that a landlord or letting agent had behaved in a way towards them that made them feel physically or psychologically unsafe.