Richard Lane, Chief Client Officer at Stepchange, comments on the number of private renters that are struggling to pay their bills and credit commitments, and calls for changes to the Renters' Rights Bill.

New YouGov polling by StepChange Debt Charity reveals that over half (53%) of private renters are struggling to keep up with bills and credit commitments, while one in three (32%) are using credit to afford rent.

Almost one in five (18%) private renters have used their overdraft in each of the last three months, compared with 12% of the wider population. Additionally, one in five (22%) private renters would not be able to pay any of an unexpected cost of £1,000 without turning to borrowing or seeking help from someone else, compared to 15% of wider population. Finally, one in six (15%) private renters have used credit, loans or an overdraft to make it through to pay day.

Richard Lane, Chief Client Officer at StepChange says:

With such low financial resilience among private renters, one financial setback could quickly knock someone into the red with their rent. Even under this new Bill (Renters' Right Bill), there are few protections to protect someone in this situation from eviction.

We’d like to see the Bill amended to provide for judicial discretion for eviction on the grounds of rent arrears, supported by the introduction of a Tenancy Support Duty. By putting the power in a judge’s hands, this would also rebalance rights between tenant and landlord.

Landlords need to be able to recover their properties in exceptional circumstances, but it’s only fair that tenants struggling financially have the opportunity to get back on their feet before losing their home – a measure which is already law for the social rented and mortgage sector.

Full press release: Over half of private renters struggling to cover bills and credit commitments

Media contact: Press Office, 0207 391 4598 / press@stepchange.org