Industry body says some 18 to 21 year olds will soon find it harder to rent

Government changes to remove housing benefit from 18 to 21 year olds from April will make it far more difficult for them to access rented housing, according to landlords.

A survey of over 1,000 landlords has found that 76 per cent will be reluctant to let accommodation to this age group because they fear that they may not have enough money to pay the rent.

The survey also shows over 65 per cent of landlords being reluctant to let properties to tenants who are of working age and on benefits because the cap might affect their ability to meet rent costs.

Compiled by the Residential Landlords Association the data also shows that since 2012 the under-35s have only been able to claim benefit for a room in a shared house; some 53 per cent of landlords do not intend to renew such tenancies because of fear about payments not being made.

According to government statistics in 2013-14 - the latest data available - 48 per cent of all households aged between 25 and 34 were in the private rented sector.

“Rented housing is crucial to enabling young people to quickly access work opportunities wherever they might be. By making it more difficult for them to secure rental properties Ministers are making work prospects increasingly difficult for them. A simple solution would be to give tenants the option of having payments of the housing element of Universal Credit paid directly to the landlord. This would give all tenants and landlords the security of knowing the rent has been paid” according to RLA vice-chairman Chris Town.