Attitudes towards renting are shifting with nearly one in three tenants now choosing to rent rather than buy according to new research.
The first RentPositive Report from RentGuarantor found 30% of UK adults actively choose renting as a lifestyle decision, rather than out of necessity.
The data also shows 41% of respondents feel more positive about renting than they previously did, rising to more than half among those aged 18–29, pointing to changing long-term demand trends in the private rented sector.
The findings suggest renting is increasingly seen as a flexible and practical housing option, particularly as affordability pressures continue to limit access to homeownership.
LOCATION, LOCATION. LOCATION
Location remains a key driver, with 56% of tenants saying renting allows them to live in areas they could not afford to buy in.
Operational ease is also a factor, with 54% citing the lack of responsibility for maintenance and repairs as a major benefit, while 83% said renting offers greater flexibility than owning.
The report highlights a growing cohort of long-term renters, with 30% of respondents saying they do not expect to ever buy a home. This trend extends beyond younger tenants, with 29% of those aged over 60 also indicating a preference for renting.
For agents and landlords, the data points to sustained demand for well-managed rental homes, particularly in desirable locations, alongside an increasing expectation for a seamless tenant experience.
LONG-TERM CHOICE
Paul Foy (main picture), Chief Executive Officer at RentGuarantor, says: “In the UK, renting has often been considered second best; we’re a country of aspiring homeowners.
“However, with stepping onto the first rung of the housing ladder perhaps more challenging than it has ever been before, renting has become the reality for many people, and for the long term.”
He adds that the findings highlight the need to recognise renting as a viable long-term housing choice, rather than a temporary fallback.
