The private rented sector is increasingly becoming a long-term housing solution for many people, with new research revealing that a significant number of tenants are renting for much longer than they originally expected.
According to LRG’s Spring 2026 Lettings Report, which surveyed 650 landlords and tenants across England and Wales, six in ten tenants have remained in rented accommodation beyond their initial plans. The findings highlight how renting is evolving from a temporary stepping stone into a longer-term reality for many households.
The report found that 40% of tenants said they had been renting for considerably longer than anticipated, while a further 20% reported staying in the sector somewhat longer than they had originally intended. In contrast, only a very small proportion of respondents – just 1% – had successfully moved from renting into homeownership.
These figures reflect the growing challenges facing aspiring buyers in today’s housing market. Rising property prices, affordability pressures and stricter mortgage lending criteria continue to make it difficult for many renters to take the next step onto the property ladder.
As a result, what was once viewed as a temporary housing arrangement is increasingly becoming a long-term lifestyle for a large proportion of the population.
Allison Thompson, Chief Lettings Officer at Leaders, which forms part of LRG, believes the findings demonstrate a significant shift in the housing landscape. She noted that renting for longer is no longer unusual and has quietly become the norm for many people.
However, the report suggests that this transition has not necessarily been driven by choice. Instead, many tenants appear to have adapted to circumstances rather than actively chosen a long-term renting lifestyle.
This distinction is important because acceptance does not always translate into satisfaction. While some tenants have adjusted to renting for extended periods, others continue to view it as a compromise rather than their preferred housing situation.
The research highlights a mixed picture when it comes to tenant sentiment. Among those who have rented longer than expected, 40% said they had accepted their situation but still hoped to purchase a property in the future. For these tenants, homeownership remains an aspiration, even if achieving it has taken longer than anticipated.
A further 23% said they had become comfortable with renting and now viewed it as a suitable long-term arrangement. These tenants appear to have embraced the flexibility and convenience that renting can offer, particularly in areas where buying may be financially out of reach.
However, not everyone feels positive about their circumstances. Nearly one-third of respondents, equivalent to 32%, said they felt trapped and frustrated by their inability to move into homeownership. This highlights the ongoing affordability challenges facing many households across England and Wales.
Interestingly, only 4% of tenants stated that they had actively chosen to continue renting. This suggests that for most people, extended time in the private rented sector is largely driven by market conditions rather than personal preference.
The report also sheds light on how settled many renters have become. While 35% of tenants have lived in their current property for between one and two years, a much larger proportion have remained in place for considerably longer.
In fact, 59% of respondents reported living in their current home for at least three years. Within this group, nearly a quarter have stayed in the same property for more than ten years, demonstrating how long-term renting has become increasingly common.
At the opposite end of the scale, only 5% of tenants said they had been in their current property for less than a year. This suggests that many renters are choosing stability where possible, particularly in an uncertain housing market.
The findings arrive at a time when the rental sector is preparing for further changes under the Renters’ Rights Act. One of the most significant reforms is the move towards assured periodic tenancies, which will allow tenants to remain in their homes indefinitely provided they continue to meet their tenancy obligations.
While some commentators have suggested that these changes could encourage longer tenancy periods, the report indicates that tenant behaviour was already moving in this direction before the legislation was introduced.
For landlords, the research suggests that longer-term occupancy is becoming increasingly common regardless of regulatory changes. Many tenants are remaining in properties for extended periods due to economic realities rather than because of new legal protections.
Landlord attitudes towards the introduction of assured periodic tenancies appear relatively balanced. According to the survey, 42% said the change would not affect their willingness to encourage tenants to stay for the long term.
Meanwhile, 15% said they would be more willing to support longer tenancies under the new system. A similar proportion, 15%, said they would be less willing, while nearly three in ten landlords admitted they were still uncertain about how the reforms might influence their approach.
Overall, the report paints a picture of a rental market that is evolving rapidly. Rising house prices, affordability constraints and mortgage accessibility issues are continuing to reshape housing choices across the country.
For many tenants, renting is no longer a short-term solution while saving for a deposit. Instead, it has become a longer-term reality that is influencing how people think about housing, financial planning and future aspirations.
As the private rented sector continues to adapt to changing regulations and economic pressures, both landlords and tenants may need to adjust their expectations. What was once viewed as a transitional stage of life is increasingly becoming a permanent feature of the modern housing market.
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