The private rented sector is home to a growing share of UK households. Between 2007 and 2017 the number of households in the private rented sector increased from 2.8 million to 4.5 million. With house prices continuing to outstrip wages across the UK, research shows that only 4% of non-home-owning 25-34 year olds have sufficient earnings and savings to afford an average first-time buyer home in their region.
Despite this expansion of the private rented sector, it is well understood that housing, and in particular home ownership, contributes to an individual’s social, civic and economic prosperity. Home ownership also overwhelmingly remains what people want. However, deposit requirements and house price to earning ratios have meant that this first step is out of reach for far too many, who at the same time are unable to access the right path between renting and owning. In the Levelling Up White Paper the Government has rightly identified this as a mission against which it will hold itself accountable for delivery, but how can it be more ambitious in its housing policy reforms – in partnership with the market – to provide more routes out of renting altogether?
This roundtable will bring together senior policymakers and other stakeholders to explore how best to create a secure path between renting and owning for those that have been unable to access the more traditional means of buying their own home.
This is a private roundtable. By invitation only.
