Private renters happier with their homes than social renters – English Housing Survey

Private renters say they are happier with their homes, compared to those in the social housing sector, the English Housing Survey reveals.

The survey, which covers 2022/23, found that 82% of private tenants were content, in contrast to the 74% satisfaction rate reported by social renters.

This trend extends to the services provided by landlords, with 76% of private renters expressing satisfaction compared to 64% of social housing tenants.

Planned reforms to the rental market work

The deputy director for campaigns, public affairs and policy at the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), Meera Chindooroy, said: “We accept that there are many challenges facing the sector and we will work with the government to ensure its planned reforms to the rental market work for renters and responsible landlords.

“That said, as the government’s own data shows, the vast majority of renters are satisfied with their housing and the services provided by their landlord.”

She added: “We need to build on this to ensure that every landlord is doing what the vast majority already do, namely providing decent housing for their tenants.”

Renters experience a positive shift

While private renters seem to be experiencing a positive shift, the overall satisfaction – by all housing tenures – with accommodation has dipped slightly over the past decade.

In 2012-13, a staggering 91% of households reported satisfaction, with more than half (60%) expressing strong satisfaction.

Today, that number sits at 88%, with ‘very satisfied’ responses dropping to 56%.

Unsurprisingly, owner-occupiers continue to hold the highest satisfaction rate at 94%.

However, it’s worth noting a slight decline compared to 2012-13, when 95% of homeowners reported contentment.

Over the same period, private renter satisfaction has remained relatively unchanged over the decade.

Disparity exists between tenants

Within the social housing sector, a disparity exists between tenants of local authorities and housing associations.

The survey indicates that 76% of housing association renters are satisfied with their accommodation, compared to just 71% of local authority tenants.

This satisfaction gap is reflected in dissatisfaction rates, with 20% of local authority renters and 17% of housing association renters expressing dissatisfaction.

These figures stand in contrast to the 10% dissatisfaction rate reported by private renters and the remarkably low 3% for homeowners.

Report dissatisfaction with their accommodation

Geographic disparities also emerged in the survey with Londoners, regardless of tenure, being more likely to report dissatisfaction with their accommodation compared to other regions in England.

Notably, 26% of local authority renters in London expressed dissatisfaction, a stark contrast to the 18% dissatisfaction rate reported by local authority renters outside the capital.

The survey also found a correlation between housing support and satisfaction levels.

Households that did not receive housing support reported a higher satisfaction rate (82%) compared to those who did (72%).

The English Housing Survey’s findings offer an insight into the current state of housing satisfaction in England.

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