Private Renter in far worse financial health than home owner
A Private renter go on fewer holidays, save less money and are more likely to make forced cutbacks than those with a mortgage, according to the latest Financial Wellness Index from financial management app Momentum UK.
The report, using data from the English Housing Survey and the government’s recent Housing White Paper, as well as research with the University of Bristol, found the average renter was in far worse financial health than someone with a mortgage.
According to Momentum UK’s Index, 31% of private renters have less than £100 in savings, compared to one in seven people with a mortgage on their home.
Mortgage borrowers are also twice as likely as private renters to view their income as sufficient.
Private renters currently “send roughly half their salary” to their landlord each month, according to the index, with one in five having cut back on food in the past year to get by, compared with one in ten mortgagors, as the table below shows.
Similarly, 19% of renters have gone without a holiday in the same period, compared with 15% of those with a mortgage.
| Action taken in the past year | Private renters | People with a mortgage on their home |
|---|---|---|
| Cut back on food to get by | 19% | 11% |
| Cut back on heating to get by | 11% | 4% |
| Cut back on essentials to get by | 14% | 4% |
| Cut back on non-essentials to get by | 30% | 21% |
| Sold possessions to earn extra cash | 8% | 6% |
| Borrowed money from friends or family | 14% | 7% |
| Increased credit card limit or overdraft | 6% | 3% |
Dominic Baliszewski, director of consumer strategy for Momentum UK, said: “The average private renter loses around half of their pay cheque on rent at the beginning of each month, and for those living in London, it can be even higher.
“This not only limits their ability to save, but also means they have to cut back on expenses such as gym memberships, holidays and socialising just to get by.
“With home ownership in decline, the number of people facing these financial challenges and seeing their living standards fall is only going to grow. That’s why it’s so important that the government delivers on the pledges made in its housing white paper.
“For those who have only recently moved into private rented accommodation and are not used to living on a budget, there are now apps and online tools available which can help to make your money go as far as possible.”
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