Renters across the UK are now spending 39% of their monthly take-home pay on housing, highlighting worsening UK rent affordability and mounting pressure on household finances.
New research from Confused.com shows rising rents are eroding disposable income, affecting savings, spending, and demand for reform among tenants.
That share of income is equivalent to around two days’ pay each week going directly to landlords. The data also shows the average monthly rent has reached £839, with 21% of renters paying more than £1,000 per month.
What the data means for UK rent affordability
The findings underline how affordability pressures are intensifying across the UK property market, particularly for tenants facing higher living costs.
Nearly half of renters, 46%, report a rent increase over the past 12 months. Among them, 77% say higher rents have affected their personal finances.
The impact is visible across several areas:
- 37% have cut back on personal spending
- 33% say they cannot save
- 28% have reduced spending on essentials such as food
Rising rents are also being compounded by higher household bills. Around 31% of renters say their bills have increased over the same period, further tightening affordability.
Growing demand for rent controls
Pressure on UK rent affordability is shaping tenant priorities ahead of the proposed Renters’ Rights Act in England.
More than half of renters, 53%, say rent control and limits on increases are a key priority. Other areas of concern include:
more affordable rental housing, cited by 45%
improved property standards, highlighted by 35%
stronger protection against eviction, backed by 34%
The proposed legislation aims to improve security and accessibility across the rental sector, offering tenants greater stability.
Property conditions remain a concern
Despite rising rents, many tenants continue to report issues with housing quality. Around 30% of renters say they have experienced problems in their property.
Among those affected, the most common issues include:
- mould, reported by 40%
- condensation, affecting 30%
- damp, also at 30%
- water-related problems, cited by 27%
These findings suggest that higher rents are not always matched by improvements in living standards, adding to concerns about value for money in the rental market.
Insurance gap leaves tenants exposed
Alongside affordability pressures, the research highlights a gap in financial protection among renters.
More than half, 55%, do not have contents insurance, leaving their belongings at risk. The reasons vary:
- 27% believe they do not need cover
- 24% say their possessions are not valuable enough
- 12% do not know how to arrange a policy
While landlords remain responsible for maintaining the property itself, tenants must insure their own belongings. This distinction is often misunderstood, particularly among younger renters.
Matthew Harwood, home insurance expert at Confused.com, said renters need to understand their responsibilities.
“In the current financial climate, home ownership is arguably the most difficult and expensive it’s ever been. And renting may be the only option for some. And renting certainly has its benefits - it gives you the freedom of running your own home without the commitment of a mortgage so you can be more flexible if you choose to move somewhere new. There are also the added benefits of the legal requirements of landlords to upkeep the property so there’s less pressure on tenants."
“But it’s still important for tenants to know their responsibilities within a rental agreement. Your landlord isn’t liable for any damage to your personal belongings if you were burgled or if an accident happens. That’s why it’s essential for renters to take out contents insurance."
“This protects renters against any damages to their belongings and also covers costs of accidental damage to your rental property. For instance, if you dropped something heavy on your hob and cracked it, your deposit would be protected through insurance rather than being taken by your landlord to cover damage costs."
“It’s not nice to think about anything going wrong with your rental property, but it’s important to be prepared and covered if the worst should happen. You can compare contents insurance for renters on our website to find a policy that works best for you and your lifestyle.”
What happens next for the rental market
Affordability pressures continue to shape behaviour across the sector. Over the past five years, 38% of renters say they have been asked to leave a property, often due to landlords selling or informal requests to vacate.
Access to housing also remains a challenge. Around 57% of renters report being refused a property, commonly due to having pets or not meeting income requirements.
The Renters’ Rights Act aims to address these issues by improving access and limiting discrimination, including restrictions on refusing tenants with pets or children.
For landlords and investors, the data highlights a shifting landscape. While rental demand remains strong, UK rent affordability is becoming a central issue, influencing tenant retention, regulation, and long-term investment strategies across the UK property market.
