Home Comforts

Our home is supposed to be a place of safety and security. But for nearly 1.5 million households who rent in England, this is not the case. More than 800,000 children and young people – around 16 per cent of under-18s in rented accommodation – are growing up in a property that harms their health, wellbeing, and education. Older people are also affected, with 225,000 households with someone aged 65 and over living in substandard rented accommodation – equivalent to 15 per cent who live in the private or social rented sector. For many, that means a home that is too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer; or one where damp and mould is almost a fact of life. Leaks, poor ventilation, and general disrepair are all too common.
This report sets out how the government can address poor-quality housing in the social and private rented sector in England and the benefits of doing so for individuals, communities and our public services. It identifies the challenge of non-decent housing, and how experiences can differ between demographic groups. The report sets out a series of solutions to improve rented stock, so that everyone has a safe, secure, warm and accessible home.