According to the data from the Office for National Statistics, in England and Wales 62.5% (15.5 million) of households owned their accommodation in 2021, down from 64.3% (15 million) in 2011.

In the same period the proportion of Brits renting has increased. In 2021 37.3% (9.3 million) of households rented their homes, up from 34.3% (eight million) in 2011.

Of those who rent, 20.3% (five million) rented their accommodation privately, up from 16.7% (3.9 million) in 2011. A further 17.1% (4.2 million) were in the social rented sector, for example through a local council or housing association; this is a smaller proportion than in 2011 (17.6%, equating to 4.1 million).

Overall home ownership (the percentage of households who owned their accommodation outright or with a mortgage, loan or shared ownership) was higher in Wales (66.4%) than in England (62.3%). 

However, home ownership has decreased in both nations since 2011 (from 67.8% in Wales and 64.1% in England).

Within England, London had the lowest level of overall home ownership (46.8%) of any English region. London also had the highest proportion of households who rented privately (30%) or in the social rented sector (23.1%).

‘Private rented sector is the fastest growing tenure’

Dan Wilson Craw, deputy director of Generation Rent, said: “Despite an array of supposedly pro-home ownership policies over the past decade, the private rented sector was the fastest growing tenure. A million more households are paying high rents to private landlords, face a much greater risk of living in a poor quality home than other tenures, and live with the threat of eviction at short notice without the chance to appeal.

“In 2019, the government belatedly recognised the need for a much better deal for private tenants, including the abolition of unfair Section 21 evictions, but as we start 2023 we are still waiting for the legislation that will make this a reality.”