Share to Buy research suggests Britain’s renters are being pushed towards homeownership by financial pressure rather than aspiration as rising rents consume an ever-larger share of income.
A survey of 2,440 respondents found that 82% of renters are now considering buying because of increasing rental costs and heightened competition for homes.
The data indicates that for many, purchasing is no longer a lifestyle choice but a defensive move against escalating housing costs.
Nearly a third (32%) said they spend between 30% and 40% of their income on rent, limiting their ability to save for a deposit while maintaining day-to-day financial stability.
AFFORDABILITY BARRIERS
While 59% want to buy alone, 64% believe homeownership is unachievable for a single person on the open market, pointing to widening affordability barriers.
The report concludes that so-called ‘Generation Rent’ is being forced to view buying as a necessity, even as traditional ownership routes remain out of reach.
Jade Turnstill, Head of Brand and Content at Share to Buy, says: “Rising rents are no longer just a barrier to saving; they’re actively reshaping how people think about housing.
“Many renters are considering homeownership not because they feel ready, but because renting has become increasingly unstable and unaffordable.”
RENTAL OPTIONS
She adds: “What’s particularly striking is the number of single buyers who want to buy alone but don’t believe the open market is designed to work for them.
“This highlights the growing importance of alternative rental options and routes into homeownership that better reflect real incomes and changing household structures.”
Share to Buy lists properties across Shared Ownership, Rent to Buy, London Living Rent and Discount Market Sale schemes, aimed at helping renters bridge the affordability gap as pressure in the private rented sector intensifies.
