UK tenants facing a tough financial task but it’s tougher for their Swiss, American and Dutch counterparts

April 8, 2020

Tenants in Switzerland, the United States and the Netherlands are facing the biggest financial hurdle if left unable to work as a result of the Coronavirus lockdown, with rental costs over just three months spiralling above £3,000, falling to £2,232 across the UK

Research by Hamilton Fraser’s deposit alternative scheme, Ome, has revealed the rental costs facing tenants across the nations currently worst affected by the Coronavirus outbreak.

With the impact of the pandemic looking likely to last for at least three months based on the UK Government’s buy-to-let mortgage holiday afforded to UK landlords, Ome looked at the average rental cost across the countries suffering the most. Ome then looked at what this would also equate to should a tenant be unable to pay their rent due to lack of income over the space of three months.

The research shows that the cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre is at its highest in Switzerland at an average of £1,325 per month; climbing to £3,976 over the space of three months.

The United States is home to the second-largest financial rental hurdle with an average rental cost of £1,168; again climbing to £3,504.

The Netherlands is the only other nation where the average rental cost exceeds £3,000 over three months of lockdown (£3,019), with tenants paying an average of £1,006 per month.

The data shows that the UK sits at number seven with the average monthly rent of £744 meaning a rental shortfall of £2,232 over three months for those unable to generate an income.

Ranking – top 20 by confirmed cases vs 3 month rent loss for landlords
Location
Confirmed Covid-19 cases
Average monthly rent (one bed city centre apartment – 2019)
3 month rent loss for landlords
Switzerland
17,768
£1,325
£3,976
United States
216,721
£1,168
£3,504
Netherlands
13,696
£1,006
£3,019
Australia
5,105
£873
£2,619
Israel
6,211
£826
£2,478
Canada
9,731
£791
£2,373
United Kingdom
29,865
£744
£2,232
Sweden
4,947
£735
£2,205
Germany
78,258
£693
£2,078
Belgium
13,964
£687
£2,061
Austria
10,711
£684
£2,053
France
57,763
£645
£1,934
Spain
104,118
£631
£1,893
Portugal
8,251
£600
£1,801
Italy
110,574
£576
£1,729
South Korea
9,976
£484
£1,452
Iran
47,593
£470
£1,409
China
82,735
£461
£1,382
Brazil
6,931
£225
£674
Turkey
15,679
£171
£514

Properganda PR

National and local media coverage for property businesses. Journo quotes delivered in minutes.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Breaking Property News 12/3/26

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   ‘The actual work, making smart procurement decisions, protecting the owner’s budget was buried under a mountain of emails and calls’ Rihards Trops CEO of TenderPro   Every property manager knows the feeling. You need to find a contractor, get three comparable quotes, coordinate site visits,…
Read More →
Breaking News

Renters’ Rights Act already driving surge in tenant complaints

“Renters’ Rights effect” drives unprecedented demand dispute resolution Industry redress scheme flooded with enquiries ahead of Act going live in May   THE IMPENDING implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act has already led to unprecedented demand for The Property Ombudsman’s services, as more tenants seek support to resolve disputes fairly and independently. In the four…
Read More →
Breaking News

Rights Act: Key changes renters need to know — new rules start on 1 May 2026

The Renters’ Rights Act is a major overhaul of the rules that govern renting in England, the biggest in decades. Propertymark, the UK’s leading body for property professionals, wants renters to understand what’s coming and how it will affect them. The next wave of changes under the Act will take effect on 1 May 2026.…
Read More →
Breaking News

What Would Make Me Stay: How Tenants Are Redefining What Home Really Means

68% of tenants say the single biggest factor that would make them stay in their rental home long term is the relationship with their landlord or agent, above rent levels, location, or the quality of the property itself. That is the headline finding from LRG’s Winter 2025/26 Lettings Report, and it points to something the…
Read More →
Breaking News

Competition for rented homes falls to lowest level in six years

More homes for rent and a drop in demand eases the pressure on renters Competition for rental homes falls to six year low with 4.8 enquiries per property Increased supply sees the number of homes available for rent up 11% on last year Meanwhile demand for rental properties falls 14% year-on-year on lower migration and…
Read More →
Breaking News

Mortgage lending now supports 30% of housing stock

Mortgage lending now underpins 30% of England’s housing stock, rising to as high as 42% in the country’s most mortgage-reliant locations. At the same time, many areas of the market have seen a notable increase in the number of homes owned with a mortgage over the last three years, highlighting the continued strength and resilience…
Read More →