Children are now more likely than working-age adults to live in Britain's private rented sector, as young families facing high housing costs rent for longer periods, according to a think-tank. The Resolution Foundation reported that the number of children in the private rented sector (PRS) has nearly tripled over the last 25 years, from 1.1 million in 2000-01 to 3.2 million in 2024-25.
Shift in Demographics
The foundation noted that children now account for 23% of private renters, compared to 22% for working-age adults. The PRS has more than doubled in size since the turn of the century, with 12.9 million people in 5.1 million households now renting privately, up from 5.1 million in 2.5 million households in 2000-01.
While those in their 20s remain the most likely age group to rent privately (37% in 2024-25), the share of people in their 30s has nearly trebled, from 10% to 28% over the same period. This trend highlights the challenges young families face in achieving homeownership.
Impact on Families
The foundation emphasised that the lack of security for young families underscores the importance of the Renters' Rights Act 2025, which recently came into force in England. The Act ends Section 21 'no fault' evictions, requiring landlords to provide valid justification for eviction. It also mandates that landlords reasonably consider requests to keep pets and allows tenants to challenge unfair rent increases.
On average, private renters in the UK spend around 35% of their income on housing costs, above the 30% threshold generally considered affordable. The report noted that the impact is particularly severe for lower-income households receiving housing benefits.
Hannah Aldridge, senior research and policy analyst at the Resolution Foundation, said: 'For a growing number of people, the private rented sector is less a pitstop on the way to home ownership or a social tenancy, and more a permanent home. Children are now more likely to live in private rented homes than working-age adults, and the number of private renters in their 30s has soared as young families are priced out of homeownership.'
She added: 'Private rented accommodation is more likely to be damp and energy inefficient than other tenures, and many vulnerable private renters report feeling so insecure in their homes they are unable to make long-term decisions. The Renters' Rights Act will alleviate some of these concerns by setting minimum property standards and offering more security.'
Government Response
A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: 'The Renters' Rights Act brings the biggest reforms to renting in over 40 years, with significant protections now in force to support renting families. We are also restoring the dream of home ownership through a record £39 billion investment in social and affordable housing – building the homes this country needs and making them more affordable by boosting supply.'
