Homeowner stays shorten while renters rent for longer

Homeowner stays shorten while renters rent for longer

While we wait for the 2021 census housing data we look to the newly published 2020/21 English Housing Survey data to help us understand the changing relationship we have with our homes since the last census.


  • Since 2011/12, owner occupiers have seen a drop in their length of tenure, from an average of 17.1 years in their accommodation to 16 years in the new 2020/21 survey results.
  • In contrast, private renters have increased their tenure length, increasing from an average of 3.8 years in 2011/12 to 4.2 years in 2020/21.
  • This slight swing to longer private tenancies comes amidst a new cost-of-living crisis where the English Housing Survey reports 52% of private renters feeling that they are unlikely to be able to afford to buy a home. In 2011/12, this figure was 41%. Source: Dataloft, DLUHC English Housing Survey 2021/22 and 2011/12


Get in touch with us

Hoping to be in your next home by Christmas? With property transactions taking months rather than weeks, October is the time to understand what’s realistic — and why it can still pay to get moving.

Buyers have plenty to compare this autumn, which makes the way a home enters the market increasingly important. A strong first impression, realistic price and thoughtful presentation can all help attract the right attention.

A new government scheme could help first-time buyers purchase with a deposit of just 2.5%. With more details expected at the October Budget, here’s what prospective buyers need to know.

The private rental sector has already seen major changes in 2026, with more reforms approaching. Here’s what landlords in England should have on their radar this autumn.