Generation Rent says that 40% of tenants HAVE NOT seen rent rises

Generation Rent claims that three in five private renters (60%) have experienced higher rent demands in the past year – but 40% of tenants HAVE NOT seen their rents rise.

The organisation’s survey also reveals that the number of tenants reporting rent hikes due to rising interest rates has tripled since the last survey in November, affecting 12% of all private renters.

However, the most common reason cited for rent increases remains rising market rents, affecting 17% of renters.

The survey is of Generation Rent ‘supporters’ and not a random sample of tenants.

‘Calling on the government to abolish Section 21 evictions’

Generation Rent says: “We are calling on the government to abolish Section 21 evictions and make it easier to challenge rent rises as soon as possible through the Renters Reform Bill.

“With many landlords struggling to cover interest rate rises, tenants need protection from unaffordable rent hikes and where landlords need to sell, the government should introduce measures to encourage them to sell with sitting tenants.

“To make renting more affordable, the government also needs to relink Local Housing Allowance with market rents and do more to build more homes in the places people want to live.”

20% of tenants paid £100 more per month

Of those facing a rent rise, 20% were requested to pay over £100 more per month, up from 12% in November.

Just 3 respondents said they had challenged a landlord’s request to increase rent at a tribunal.

However, the survey also reveals that evictions are on the rise, with 20% of private renters being asked to vacate their homes in the past 12 months.

Among them, 12% were served a no-fault Section 21 notice, representing an increase from 14% in the previous survey.

Attributed the hikes to higher mortgage payments

When asked about the reasons for the rent increases, 12% of private renters attributed the hikes to higher mortgage payments, a significant increase from 4% in November.

However, the majority (17%) cited ‘higher market rents’ as the leading cause, up from 16% previously.

The cost of living and inflation were also responsible for 11% of rent increases.

‘Survey shows that a cost of renting crisis’

Generation Rent said: “Our survey shows that a cost of renting crisis is forcing tenants to bear the worst of the current economic turmoil.

“While many mortgage holders have yet to see their monthly payments increase, most private renters have already faced a rent hike this past year.

“So far only a minority of landlords have been affected so badly by rising rates that they are passing them on to tenants.

“But the rising cost of rent is a much wider problem caused by the failure to build enough homes where people want to live, and the ability of landlords to raise rents regardless of what their tenant can afford.

“The government’s response to this needs to put tenants first: prevent unaffordable rent increases and protect tenants in their homes if their landlord needs to sell.”

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