The Generation Rent activist group has reported a surprising trend in its latest survey: evictions appear to have dropped in 2024. While this may be a quiet development, it is noteworthy given the ongoing concerns about rental stability. According to the survey, one in six respondents said they had faced what the group refers to as “an unwanted move” in the past year. This marks a modest decline from the previous year, where the figure stood at one in five respondents.
The data further suggests a shift in the types of evictions landlords are using. The use of Section 21 evictions, which allow landlords to remove tenants without needing to provide a formal reason, has decreased. In its place, there has been a noticeable increase in the use of Section 8 evictions, which are typically initiated when tenants fall behind on rent or violate the terms of their tenancy agreement. This change in eviction practices may indicate that landlords are increasingly resorting to legal grounds for evictions rather than using the no-fault route, which has often been criticised for leaving tenants vulnerable.
Additionally, the survey also highlighted a rise in tenants simply moving out at the end of their fixed-term tenancy agreements. This could suggest that tenants are more willing to leave voluntarily rather than face eviction proceedings. It could also reflect a shift in the rental market, where landlords may be less inclined to push tenants out before the end of their agreements, perhaps due to ongoing uncertainties in the housing market.
While this decrease in evictions is a positive sign, it is important to consider that the overall housing situation remains fragile. Factors such as rising rent costs and changes to tenancy laws may continue to affect both tenants and landlords, but for now, this survey offers a glimmer of hope that rental stability could be improving in certain areas.
In a statement, Generation Rent has highlighted that once the Renters’ Rights Bill becomes law, it will mark a significant shift for tenants. The group explains, “Once the Renters’ Rights Bill becomes law, there will no longer be fixed terms, so tenants won’t feel pressure to move out or renew after a year.” This change aims to alleviate the pressure many tenants feel when their leases come to an end, providing them with more security and flexibility in their living arrangements.
The statement also draws attention to a growing concern among renters—an increase in rent prices. According to Generation Rent, the survey reveals that a rising number of renters are now facing rent hikes, which may add to the financial strain many are already under. This trend underscores the ongoing challenges within the private rental sector, where affordability remains a significant issue for tenants across the country.
The survey, which has only recently been made public, was conducted online between January and March 2024. It gathered responses from 1,021 individuals who are currently renting in the private sector. This sample size provides valuable insights into the experiences of renters and highlights the evolving issues they are facing, from rent increases to the impact of potential legislative changes.
The group comments: “We have asked private renters if they have faced a rent rise in the past 12 months in our surveys since 2022, and asked for a breakdown of the reasons they were given. The number who have faced a rent rise has risen from 50% in late 2022 to 67% in early 2024.” This marks a significant increase in the proportion of renters experiencing rent hikes, reflecting broader trends in the private rental market.
The reasons given by landlords for these rent increases are varied, with the most common explanation being “higher market rents,” which is affecting 20% of private renters. Alongside this, landlords have cited the rising cost of living and higher mortgage costs as other contributing factors. These reasons point to the broader economic pressures that are pushing up rental prices for many tenants.
While the sharp increase in interest rates in 2022 was initially predicted to contribute to rent rises, it appears that its impact has been less pronounced than expected. This surge in interest rates seems to have affected only a smaller portion of landlords compared to the other economic factors mentioned, such as market rent fluctuations and rising operational costs for landlords.
The activists have also pointed out one of the most dramatic changes in the rental market since the pandemic: the rise of bidding wars. In these situations, landlords or letting agents request that tenants offer the highest rent they can afford in order to secure a tenancy. This practice has gained significant traction in recent years. According to the data, one in five renters who moved in 2023-24 experienced a bidding war, a stark contrast to just one in 40 renters who moved in 2019 or earlier. This shift highlights how much more competitive the rental market has become, putting tenants under increasing pressure to meet higher rent demands.
Alongside bidding wars, mass viewings have become a common phenomenon, adding further stress for prospective tenants. With demand outstripping supply, tenants are often required to attend viewings with many other potential renters, all vying for the same property. This highly competitive atmosphere can make it difficult for tenants to secure a rental, particularly when they are up against a large number of applicants. The sheer volume of people attending these viewings only increases the pressure on renters, who may feel rushed to make decisions quickly in an environment that feels increasingly frantic.
Another trend that has emerged is the more frequent request for a guarantor. In previous years, asking for a guarantor might have been reserved for those with less secure financial situations or for tenants with poor credit histories. However, the rise in demand for rental properties has led to this becoming a much more common requirement. Today, many landlords and letting agents are asking for a guarantor as a standard practice, regardless of a tenant’s financial standing. This additional layer of scrutiny adds to the burden on tenants, who are now expected to provide more paperwork and evidence of their financial stability.
In addition to these trends, activists have noted that there have been some more intrusive practices in the rental market. For example, in the wake of the pandemic, it became relatively common for landlords or agents to request personal information such as CVs or even photos of potential tenants. These requests were often seen as an invasive way of screening applicants, as landlords and agents sought to gather as much personal data as possible. However, more recently, it appears that this practice has started to decline. This suggests that some of the more aggressive vetting procedures may be lessening as the rental market slowly adapts to a post-pandemic reality.
Despite this decline in some intrusive practices, the overall rental landscape remains more competitive and challenging than ever. The rise in bidding wars, mass viewings, and the increasing demand for guarantors are all contributing to a market that feels much less tenant-friendly. As a result, renters continue to face a range of challenges in securing affordable accommodation, and the group warns that these trends show little sign of reversing in the near future. With continued pressure on the housing market, renters may find themselves needing to adapt even more to these evolving practices in order to secure a home.
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