Over Half of UK Renters Want to Move but Can’t Afford To, Says SpareRoom

Over Half of UK Renters Want to Move but Can’t Afford To, Says SpareRoom

More than half of UK renters (56%) would like to move home but are staying put, according to new research from flatshare platform SpareRoom.

The study found that flatsharers aged 40 and over are most likely to be “flathugging” — remaining in their current rentals despite wanting to move. 61% of renters in this age group said they were staying put, compared with 52% of those under 40.

Affordability the Biggest Barrier

The main reason renters aren’t moving is that available housing is simply unaffordable. Nearly three-quarters (73%) of respondents said they couldn’t find anything within budget.

Average UK room rents have jumped 28% over the past five years to a record £753 per month, while in London they’ve surged 37% to £995 per month.

Other key barriers include:

• Lack of available properties (44%)

• High competition for rooms (32%) — with four people searching for every room available to rent across the UK in Q3 2025

Renters Avoiding Landlord Contact

Nearly half (45%) of renters admitted to avoiding contact with their landlord or letting agent in the past year, even when problems arose with their property — largely out of fear it could trigger a rent increase or risk eviction.

When asked why they were reluctant to reach out:

• 58% said they feared a rent rise

• 42% felt their landlord or agent wouldn’t help

• 35% wanted to avoid confrontation

• 31% worried it might lead to eviction

SpareRoom warns that this silence could allow potentially dangerous issues to go unresolved, while also highlighting how financial pressures are limiting renters’ freedom and security.

Impact on Careers and the Economy

The report suggests the effects of the rental crisis reach beyond housing. 61% of renters said the rental market has negatively affected their career progression, while 19% admitted they’ve turned down a job offer in the past two years to avoid the stress of finding a new home.

Among those who declined new roles:

• 51% missed out on higher pay

• 40% passed up a better work-life balance

• 35% declined a promotion or career advancement opportunity

SpareRoom says these findings highlight how the UK’s strained rental market is not only restricting renters’ mobility but also holding back productivity and growth across the wider economy.