Social sector tenants expect rents to rise in next 12 months
Only 1% of social tenants expect the rents charged by local authorities and housing associations to be a lot or a little lower in twelve months time according to a survey conducted by Ipsos. Just under three-quarters, 74%, expect rents to be a lot or a little higher.
The findings come at a time when social landlords have more scope to decide on rent levels than ever before and when many of their customers are feeling the pinch.
Key findings include:
- 64% of the British public think the rents charged by local councils and housing associations will be higher in 12 months time, 27% think they will stay the same, 1% think they will be lower.
- Among social tenants, 74% expect social rents to be higher – 15% a lot higher, 59% a little higher –18% expect them to be the same, 1% think they will be lower.
- Social tenants in the south of England, including London, are more likely than those in the north to expect rents to be a lot higher in a year’s time; 19% against 13%.
- Local authority tenants are relatively more likely than housing association tenants to expect rents to be the same – 21% against 14% – and less likely to expect increases – 72% against 78%.
The findings follow the publication last month of the latest survey for the Halifax (conducted between 10 March and 2 April) which found a sharp increase in the proportion of owner-occupiers expecting rises in house prices – up from 35% to 44% – and 62% of private renters now expect private sector rents to be higher in 12 months time. Technical note The survey was undertaken with a representative sample of 1,702 British adults aged 16+ (including 216 tenants of local authorities and 135 tenants of housing associations). Interviews were conducted face-to-face in-home between 15th March and 2nd April 2013. Data are weighted to the national population profile by age, sex, working status, region, ethnicity, and tenure.
