Whether a matter of choice or necessity, most private renters need long-term security and the vast majority of private landlords are more than willing to meet their needs, new research shows. 

Long-term renting is the norm in most European countries, where the law tends to favour tenants, and it would appear that lengthier tenancies are an emerging trend in the UK, suggesting that there is not a need for similar rental regulations in this country as landlords naturally look to safeguard their income.

According to the government’s English Housing Survey for 2018-19, published yesterday, the average length that a private tenant lived in their current rental property was 4.4 years, up from 4.1 years in 2017-18.

The data shows that private renters are enjoying greater security in their homes than at any time over the last decade, which is an indication that the market is responding by ensuring tenants remain in properties for longer periods of time, enabling them establish roots in a community.

John Stewart, policy manager for the Residential Landlords Association, commented: “The vast majority of landlords who do a good job welcome good tenants staying in their properties long-term and today’s figures bear this out. 

“They clearly refute the picture some create that landlords spend all their time looking for ways to evict their tenants and it is time to end this scaremongering.

“The market is meeting the ever-changing demands on it without the need for legislation. 

“It is vital that the government continues to support and encourage this with pro-growth policies that support good landlords to provide the long-term homes to rent to meet ever growing demand.”