More rent than pay a mortgage in london

New figures just out show that renters in the capital outnumber homeowners for the first time in a more than a decade,  government data released yesterday shows that last year 898,000 London households were occupied by private renters.

The figures, which provide data from as far back as 2005, show that a decade ago just 405,000 households were renting, while 1,150,000 were paying mortgages.

“Generation Rent” as it has become known is for the greater part  made up of potential buyers who are trapped into paying high rents which give them little or no chance of ever saving up the deposit for a home of their own, or even if they do save a deposit  they have little chance of satisfying the earnings to value ratio required to obtain a mortgage due to spiralling house prices.

The number of households lived in by those with mortgages has sunk to 883,000, it just shows how the high house prices are affecting home ownership in London.

In a sign that ever increasing house prices are making it ever more difficult for generation rent, the number of households lived in by those with mortgages has sunk to 883,000.

The figures, which provide data from as far back as 2005, show that a decade ago just 405,000 households were renting, while 1,150,000 were paying mortgages.

 

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

Breaking News

House price growth remained subdued in August

UK annual house price growth remained broadly stable in August at 1.6% House prices were up 0.2% month on month Headlines Aug-26 Jul-26‡ Monthly Index* 550.1 549.1 Monthly Change* 0.2% -0.1% Annual Change 1.6% 1.4% Average Price (not seasonally adjusted) £275,465 £276,581 * Seasonally adjusted figure (note that monthly % changes are revised when seasonal…
Read More
Letting Agent Talk

What Adds Three Weeks to Leasehold Conveyancing?

As government reforms target a four-week reduction in homebuying times, Konnect You analysis points to management packs, extra lease enquiries, third-party responses and title issues as recurring leasehold bottlenecks. The government is targeting a reduction of around four weeks in the homebuying process through reforms published in June 2026. Its roadmap proposes more property information upfront and recognises that leaseholders can face delays…
Read More
bank of england interest rate
Breaking News

Bank of England Money and Credit Report July 2026

Overview These monthly statistics on the amount of, and interest rates on, borrowing and deposits by households and businesses are used by the Bank’s policy committees to understand economic trends and developments in the UK banking system. Key points: Net borrowing of mortgage debt by individuals decreased to £4.3 billion in July, from £7.7 billion…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 1/9/26

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   infinitSpace to be new operating partner providing technology and operational infrastructure The Stack, Amsterdam’s new home for AI founders and builders, has selected infinitSpace as its Workspace Operating Partner ahead of its opening in September. The partnership will provide the technology and operational infrastructure behind The…
Read More
Breaking News

Why Living Near London’s Top Schools Costs a Fortune

Homes near London’s top private schools command premiums of up to 77%   The latest research from London lettings and estate agent, Benham and Reeves, has revealed that homes located close to some of the capital’s highest-ranking private schools command substantial premiums, with property values sitting as much as 77% above the wider local authority average.…
Read More
Breaking News

Back to School: What It Costs to Live Near Top Secondaries

The latest research by Yopa has revealed that homebuyers face paying an average premium of more than £40,000 to live within reach of one of the nation’s top state secondary schools, with the premium climbing as high as £275,000 in the most expensive location. Yopa analysed current house prices across the postcode districts home to…
Read More