Unstable renting sees quarter of families move three times in five years

Housing charity Shelter has today exposed the instability of private renting, with new research showing that 27% of renting families in England have moved three or more times in the last five years alone. This is the equivalent of over 400,000 families.

The Shelter and YouGov study of more than 3,700 private renters – the largest of its kind –uncovered that nearly half of renting parents (46%) were forced to borrow money or had fallen behind on other payments, as a result of the costs associated with their last move.

Alongside the strain on their finances, parents reported that the lack of stability had a damaging effect on their children. More than one in four said that moving had a negative impact, with many reporting that it left their children feeling distressed, upset and insecure.

Alarmingly, the charity's research also found that 65,000 privately renting families had been left with no choice but to change their children's school when they last had to move home.

Sonia says: "My daughter has really struggled with all the moving and so much change. I've had nights of her asking me 'what else can go wrong? I feel like I've let her down because she's had to go through all of this at such young age. The insecurity really has affected her – it has left her anxious and always wondering what will happen next. Her self-esteem and confidence has definitely taken a knock."

Shelter's frontline advisers speak to hundreds of private renting families every day who are struggling with frequent moves. Families like Sonia and her 11 year old daughter Anna, who were forced to move three times in just two years, before they were able to settle in a more stable housing association home.

The charity is calling on the government to make urgent reforms to private renting, including the introduction of longer term tenancies to give families the security they desperately need.

Campbell Robb, chief executive of Shelter, said: "Today's sky high housing costs mean private renting is no longer just a stepping stone for young adults – it's where a quarter of all families in England have to live. It's shocking therefore that it is still not fit for purpose.

"With short-term contracts, sudden rent hikes and expensive moving costs putting huge pressure on family life, it's no wonder that millions of parents are battling to give their children a stable home.

"We know the vast majority of parents are crying out for longer term tenancies, so it's about time the government turned this into a reality and gave England's 11 million private renters a better deal."