Two in five renters may relocate to beat rising rents

Two in five renters who are considering a move say they could be forced to relocate to a cheaper area this year due to rising rents, research reveals.

According to CIA Landlords, a poll found that 40% of renters who are thinking about moving say they are likely to so because rents have become unaffordable.

The survey of 2,000 also found that 12% said they were very likely to relocate to a different area, while a further 28% described themselves as ‘somewhat likely’.

However, the findings show that two-thirds of renters feel favourably towards their landlord or agent, despite rising rent fears.

Warning for the PRS

The firm’s sales director, Jackie Compton, said: “When four in 10 renters are looking at moving areas because of costs, that’s a warning sign for the whole sector.

“Renters want stability and confidence that the homes they live in will be maintained and managed fairly.”

She added: “Better communication, transparent rent-setting and proactive maintenance aren’t ‘nice to haves’; they’re essential if we want long-term tenancies that work for everyone.”

Rents will rise

The survey also found that almost half of all respondents (47%), expect renting to become more expensive this year.

For many, relocation is not driven by preference and moving further away from jobs, family and support networks would be a necessity rather than a lifestyle choice.

More than half of tenants (55%) said an unexpected or significant rent rise would be a deal-breaker.

A similar proportion (51%) said they would leave if landlords or agents were slow to resolve serious problems such as damp or heating faults.

Two-thirds like their landlord

Despite the financial strain, the research suggests renters are open to staying put when conditions are right.

More than four in five (81%), said they would be likely to remain in a property for five years or more if it met their priorities.

However, sentiment towards landlords and letting agents is not uniformly negative.

The poll found that 67% of renters currently feel favourable towards their landlord or agent, even as affordability concerns grow.

Prompt responses

When tenants were asked what mattered most in those relationships, they pointed to practical and service-led issues.

Speed of response to repairs topped the list at 35%, followed closely by the quality of repairs and maintenance at 34%.

Respect for privacy and reasonable notice before visits was cited by 31%, while 30% highlighted transparency over rent rises.

Clear communication and written agreements were highlighted by 28% of respondents.