Half of tenants are ‘one pay cheque away’ from homelessness – Shelter claims

Half of tenants are ‘one pay cheque away’ from homelessness – Shelter claims

9:26 AM, 22nd August 2023, About A year ago 67

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A survey of private renters has found that 51% of them are just one missed ‘pay cheque’ away from being made homeless.

The findings from Shelter also found that more than a third said they did not have enough savings to cover their rent if they were to face unemployment.

The charity’s study also reveals that 55% of renters have seen a rent increase in the past year with demand from tenants outstripping landlord supply.

Shelter says its recent findings show a deterioration in the private rented sector since a 2021 survey revealed that 39% of tenants did not have enough in savings to pay rent.

‘Forced to compete for grossly expensive private rentals’

Shelter’s chief executive, Polly Neate, said: “The severe lack of social homes means swathes of people are barely scraping by as they’re forced to compete for grossly expensive private rentals, because there is nothing else.

“With food and household bills continuing to surge, the situation is precarious for thousands of renters who are one pay cheque away from losing their home, and the spectre of homelessness.”

She added: “The time for piecemeal policies is over. To jam the brakes on the housing emergency, we need a genuinely affordable alternative to private renting.

“We know social housing works for most people because it’s secure and the rents are tied to local incomes.

“Instead of empty words, the government and every political party must sign up to building thousands more social homes.”

‘Delivering affordable homes to rent and buy’

A government spokesperson said: “We have a strong track record of delivering affordable homes to rent and buy across the country.

“Since 2010, we have delivered over 659,500 new affordable homes through our £11.5bn affordable homes programme, including 166,300 homes for social rent.

“Our landmark Renters (Reform) Bill will also deliver a better deal for renters, giving tenants greater security in their homes and preventing large rent increases being used as a backdoor method of eviction.”


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NewYorkie

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10:49 AM, 24th August 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Mick Roberts at 24/08/2023 - 09:37
Khan can buy them from landlords at market rate, and then he can let them cheap! Yeah, right!

Mick Roberts

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11:44 AM, 24th August 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by NewYorkie at 24/08/2023 - 10:49
Yes I often say that when they say
Ooh u doing alright Mick, u only paid this for it.
Or u always on holiday Mick, u can afford it.

I say Eh, u can buy the house I don't want it. U buy it right now for your sister & u can do her cheap rent. They go silent.
Oh, you've not got the money have u?

Same with Khan, yes please u buy em if it's that easy.

Beaver

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15:29 PM, 24th August 2023, About A year ago

So the financial times has just issued the following bit of news that "UK Construction Companies are going under at their fastest rate in a decade".

https://www.ft.com/content/f9fc08ab-37f9-46d3-bebf-d5961258f380

And they've said that "More than 4,000 operators become insolvent within a year as cost inflation and housebuilding slowdown bite."

I have noticed that the building sites were I live are being shut down with the houses unfinished. Nothing new that....it's happened before in Scotland.

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/scotland-now/gallery/eerie-scottish-ghost-town-lies-30767435

So that's what happens when you drive investment out of the housing market through adverse tax policies and when interest rates return to the sort of levels that were normal when many of us took out BTL mortgages. The lack of supply of homes to buy will of course increase the pressure on homes to rent.

I'd be happy to buy some of that stock (which I presume would be at Band C or above) directly in my SIPP. But the pension rules prevent me from doing so.

NewYorkie

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15:43 PM, 24th August 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Beaver at 24/08/2023 - 15:29
Behind the paywall, but I can understand it. I heard a large, well established roofing business in Oxford closed down, with the loss of 490 jobs. Also, my friend used to have problems getting trades in the Cotswolds, but he's now getting guys travelling from Oxford. Locally, a small builder I used recently has pulled out of quoting for larger jobs because he just lost 3 extensions due to the rate increases, and now only does smaller jobs where he knows the client can pay without borrowing. His entire 2023/24 order book went up in smoke all at once.

Beaver

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15:46 PM, 24th August 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by NewYorkie at 24/08/2023 - 15:43
That's right. I'm not far from that part of the world and that's what I'm seeing locally. Building is stopping...so rents are going to go up.

Whiteskifreak Surrey

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17:39 PM, 24th August 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by NewYorkie at 24/08/2023 - 15:43
We have used a local small builder from the EU. He is now closing down, and going back either to his country of somewhere to the EU.
He has had enough of what is happening here, taxes, problems, brexit, shortages and everything else.
I suppose it is a different reason from the big guys, but finding a smaller trader is becoming increasingly difficult too and a lot more expensive. Repairs costs are going through the roof.
This country is really going to the dogs because the current No. 10 lot.
The pity is that the next lot is not going to be any better. There is a great chance it is going to be much worse.

NewYorkie

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18:33 PM, 24th August 2023, About A year ago

Why is Brexit responsible for the housing crisis and builders going bust.

Beaver

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19:17 PM, 24th August 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by NewYorkie at 24/08/2023 - 18:33
It isn't.

NewYorkie

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20:00 PM, 24th August 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Beaver at 24/08/2023 - 19:17
Sorry, misread your comment.

Whiteskifreak Surrey

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23:09 PM, 24th August 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by NewYorkie at 24/08/2023 - 18:33
It is one of the factors playing part in the much more complicated and bigger picture.
The nation as a whole is poorer due to brexit (except those who caused brexit to shelter their wealth).
Hence - less money to invest in smaller, private building projects, too.
Skilled builders from EU left, the companies have difficulties with recruiting staff, cannot be competitive as not enough resources
Not many people from abroad want to invest in brexit Britain.
brexit does probably play a smaller part, but certainly it does not help.
As so many mentioned here, the situation is dire mainly due to government's hostile stance against the landlords.
Brexitters here will criticise every single word - it is OK, I do not care. I see the reality.

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