According to data from the UK National Statistics Office, the average rent in the UK was around £700 per month in 2019, while in the London area, the average rent skyrocketed to £1,600 per month.
Several factors contribute to this trend. Firstly, the high population density in the UK, especially in city centers where living space is limited, has resulted in a substantial demand for rental housing.
Furthermore, the gradual economic recovery in the UK has led to increased demand in the job market, contributing to a higher number of tenants. Additionally, the influx of international students and professionals into the UK has further increased the demand for housing.
Apart from these factors, the rise in rental prices is also associated with local policies and building supply. Insufficient government investment in housing construction has led to an inadequate supply of buildings to meet demand, consequently driving up rental prices. The government's decision to eliminate landlord tax reliefs has increased landlords' burdens, further contributing to the rise in rental prices.
To address issues in the UK rental housing market, the government has implemented various measures. For instance, it has raised the amount of housing subsidies and increased regulatory efforts in the housing market. In the 2019 budget, the government proposed a series of plans to address rental housing market concerns, including increasing housing supply, promoting land utilization, and constructing more shared and social housing. These plans aim to boost housing supply and ultimately lower rental prices.