Rented housing ‘damaging children’, study finds
By Tony Hudson
Families with children are among the hardest hit by a volatile renting market, according to a study released today.
The study, by housing charity Shelter, revealed families with children are bearing the brunt of the insecure tenancies, high rents, and constant moves that have become standard in the contemporary rental market.
Children's lives are being impacted in a very damaging way, the study argues, with one in ten families having to change their child's school due to moving from one rented home to another.
The study reveals 44% of renting parents believe their child's life would be better with more stability in the home and 13% of parents who have moved in the last five years claim moving was stressful and upsetting for their child.
"For the vast majority of renting parents, renting isn't a lifestyle choice, yet for many it's putting their children's education, happiness and wellbeing in jeopardy," said Shelter's chief executive Campbell Robb.
"No child should have to deal with constant upheaval, a disrupted education and an atmosphere where parents are constantly worried about paying the rent or having to find somewhere new to live."
Currently one in five families are living in private rented homes in England.
The problem does not seem to be going away any time soon. According to the study 43% of renting families say they expect to continue living in rented homes for the next ten years, despite 22% saying they would not like to raise children in private rented homes.
The study was released as part of Shelter's campaign to improve conditions in the rental market which Robb described as "not fit for purpose".
