The proportion of private renters under threat of eviction in England has risen by more than three-quarters in a year, a survey suggests, prompting a charity to warn of a rapidly emerging “homelessness emergency”. Around 5% of private renters – the equivalent of 503,995 people across the country – say they have received an eviction notice or been threatened with eviction in the past month, according to polling for Shelter.
This is up about 80% from a similar period last year, when 3% of respondents (equivalent to 279,376 people) reported such. The survey of 2,000 private renters in England between October 26 and November 10 was carried out by YouGov and funded by Nationwide Building Society. It found 4% said they have fallen behind on their rent – equivalent to 481,644 people.
Overall around one in 12 private renters (8%) – the equivalent of 940,939 people across the country – are at risk of losing their homes because they are under threat of eviction or behind on rent, the findings suggest. According to the polling, a quarter of private renters are constantly struggling to pay their rent, up from 20% this time last year.
