“Harder for politicians to ignore renters” claims Generation Rent

Renters wield more political power due to the surge in private renting, according to an activist group.

According to a survey by Generation Rent, analysis of the census reveals that 194 constituencies in England have populations containing 20% or more private renters, up from 114 in 2011.

At the time of the 2021 Census, the private rented sector (PRS) provided accommodation for 4.8m households in England, up by 1.1m in the ten years since the previous census.

Political power has grown

Previously renters had been relatively concentrated in inner cities, with a large voice in a small number of seats. However, the quest for affordable homes has led renters to suburbs of London and other major cities, reshaping the political landscape.

The most dramatic growth in renting has taken place in suburban England, including the northern and western outskirts of London and the outer reaches of metropolitan areas like Dudley and Oldham.

According to Generation Rent, this geographical spread has a political impact. Although the private renter population has increased by 29% in ten years, the number of parliamentary constituencies with 20% or more private renters has increased by 70% to reach 194, 36% of the seats in England.

Dan Wilson Craw, deputy chief executive of Generation Rent, said: “It is getting harder for politicians to ignore renters.

“The renter population continued to grow in the 2010s, but because many of us have been pushed out of city constituencies by high rents and the need for family homes, renters’ political power has grown even more, and could make a difference in many more seats at future elections.”

New political influence is limited

However, Generation Rent warns that private renters are less likely to vote as they are not registered.

According to Generation Rent’s data, an estimated 1.22m eligible voters were not registered anywhere for the 2019 election and 45% of them were private renters.

By December 2022, this number had risen to 2.30m missing voters, with a larger share of these likely to be private renters due to more frequent home moves.

Mr Craw urged renters to register to vote to ensure their voices are heard.

He said: “This new political influence is limited if we aren’t registered to vote in the first place, and it is too easy to fall off the register after a stressful house move.

“We have mapped the private rented sector to inform our campaign to make sure renters have a political voice, and we hope this work will help others who are working to widen democratic participation.”