Fall in home ownership

June 19, 2015

According to the 2011 Census released today by the ONS, the proportion of owned homes in 2011 decreased by 5 percentage points, the first fall in a century, more than half (64%, 15.0 million) of the 23.4 million households in England and Wales were owner occupied, however this was a decline from 69% in 2001.

As a consequence, there has been an increase in the proportion of rented households (31% to 36%), particularly within the private sector; private rentals rose from 12% to 18% of the housing market, whilst social rented households remained stable, falling slightly from 19% to 18%.

Renters were younger and less likely to be employed. Almost 9 in 10 (87%) HRPs aged 16-24 were renting compared with less than a quarter (24%) of those aged 65-74. Meanwhile, only 1% of HRPs who owned their house were unemployed, compared with 7% of HRPs who rented.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady reportedly saidsaid:“Successive governments have not made housing a high enough policy priority. As a result we now have the most expensive and dysfunctional housing system in Europe, with millions of people living in often sub-standard private rented accommodation”

“A generation of young people face the prospect of never owning their own home. There are no longer any areas in the South of England where average house prices are less than five times the average wage.

“Selling off existing affordable homes through Right to Buy is not the way to deal with Britain’s housing crisis. With the government able to borrow at rock bottom rates it needs to get out its cheque book and start building.

“Investing in house building will pay for itself and generate thousands of jobs and apprenticeships.”

Allen Walkey

Highly experienced businessman with a successful career in property sales and investment both in the UK and abroad. Now a freelance writer and blogger for the property and Investment Industry, keeping readers up-to-date with changes and events in a rapidly changing world.

You May Also Enjoy

Estate Agent Talk

Dolphin v Beauchamp Estates v Hudsons – Elite Apartment Rental Options in London SW1

London has long been known as a potpourri of diverse cultures, lending it a whimsical charm while being a major global hub. Renowned for its juxtaposition between modernity and royal heritage, it’s a unique blend of ancient landmarks and contemporary living. You’ll find avant-garde architecture sitting comfortably alongside historic streets and vibrant neighbourhoods. While the…
Read More →
Christmas Decorations - Good or Bad for Selling
Breaking News

Stay secure this Christmas: Home security tips for high-value homes

High value home insurance specialists, Stanhope, are warning homeowners to be especially careful this Christmas. “It’s a busy time for everyone, including burglars,” says Director, Matthew Ashton, who highlights why high value homes are particularly vulnerable and what to do about it. “High value homes are easy to identify thanks to tell-tale signs of wealth…
Read More →
Letting Agent Talk

Six months on: How the new anti money laundering regulations are reshaping the lettings market

Six months have passed since the anti-money laundering (AML) rules came into effect, bringing mandatory financial sanctions checks into every area of the lettings market. When the changes were first introduced, many landlords were surprised by the breadth and immediacy of the requirements. Half a year on, the sector is now seeing how the industry…
Read More →
Breaking News

Private rent and house prices, UK: December 2025

Main Points Average UK monthly private rents increased by 4.4%, to £1,366, in the 12 months to November 2025 (provisional estimate); this annual growth rate is down from 5.0% in the 12 months to October 2025. Average rents increased to £1,422 (4.4%) in England, £820 (6.1%) in Wales, and £1,012 (3.3%) in Scotland, in the…
Read More →
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 17/12/25

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X. How to get Proptechs from MVP to EXIT Reporter Zara S. Proptech has spent years trying to prove its relevance to the property industry. New platforms appear daily, capital flows in cycles, and “disruption” is promised more often than it is delivered. What is far less…
Read More →
Estate Agent Talk

Why Real Estate Pros Should Care About the RoHS Directive in Smart Home Tech

Some of the tasks that real estate pros perform nowadays include negotiating and posting, and checking houses on property listings. You also have to deal with buyers who expect “smart-everything,” landlords who want long-term reliability, and tenants who care about safety and sustainability. In the middle of these expectations, there’s rohs directive. Why should you…
Read More →