Joseph Elliott
@jelliott94.bsky.social
Lead analyst at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation @jrf-uk.bsky.social
Posting about politics, poverty, housing, benefits and work.
Northern Irish, views my own.
Posting about politics, poverty, housing, benefits and work.
Northern Irish, views my own.
> Home purchased for £4k in 1970, now worth £4m
> That's £3.945m more than if it had just increased with inflation
> Her house has effectively gained £72k in value every year in today's prices
> Her house earned around double what the average UK earner did each year
> That's £3.945m more than if it had just increased with inflation
> Her house has effectively gained £72k in value every year in today's prices
> Her house earned around double what the average UK earner did each year
November 28, 2025 at 8:29 AM
> Home purchased for £4k in 1970, now worth £4m
> That's £3.945m more than if it had just increased with inflation
> Her house has effectively gained £72k in value every year in today's prices
> Her house earned around double what the average UK earner did each year
> That's £3.945m more than if it had just increased with inflation
> Her house has effectively gained £72k in value every year in today's prices
> Her house earned around double what the average UK earner did each year
New homelessness figures today show a continued upwards trajectory in the numbers of children and households living in temporary accommodation, reaching new record highs.
Yesterday the OBR reported cost of TA to local authorities increased 20% *a year* between 2022-23 and 2024-25.
Yesterday the OBR reported cost of TA to local authorities increased 20% *a year* between 2022-23 and 2024-25.
November 27, 2025 at 10:47 AM
New homelessness figures today show a continued upwards trajectory in the numbers of children and households living in temporary accommodation, reaching new record highs.
Yesterday the OBR reported cost of TA to local authorities increased 20% *a year* between 2022-23 and 2024-25.
Yesterday the OBR reported cost of TA to local authorities increased 20% *a year* between 2022-23 and 2024-25.
Rents have increased by a fifth in recent years since Local Housing Housing allowance was frozen, up £210 a month!!
The strain of this freeze on private renters is immense; in April around 40% of private renters in receipt of LHA said they didn't have enough to cover rent.
The strain of this freeze on private renters is immense; in April around 40% of private renters in receipt of LHA said they didn't have enough to cover rent.
October 22, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Rents have increased by a fifth in recent years since Local Housing Housing allowance was frozen, up £210 a month!!
The strain of this freeze on private renters is immense; in April around 40% of private renters in receipt of LHA said they didn't have enough to cover rent.
The strain of this freeze on private renters is immense; in April around 40% of private renters in receipt of LHA said they didn't have enough to cover rent.
And finally - the trends in tenure shifts are seen across England, but more pronounced in some places than others..
September 11, 2025 at 7:18 AM
And finally - the trends in tenure shifts are seen across England, but more pronounced in some places than others..
P.s. It seems very unlikely that brexit had a meaningful impact on the trends we reported here.
Also evidence that many landlords switched to incorporation or short lettings as more tax efficient or profitable ventures - important govt rebalances this.
Also evidence that many landlords switched to incorporation or short lettings as more tax efficient or profitable ventures - important govt rebalances this.
September 11, 2025 at 7:18 AM
P.s. It seems very unlikely that brexit had a meaningful impact on the trends we reported here.
Also evidence that many landlords switched to incorporation or short lettings as more tax efficient or profitable ventures - important govt rebalances this.
Also evidence that many landlords switched to incorporation or short lettings as more tax efficient or profitable ventures - important govt rebalances this.
In fact our analysis, and analysis by the ONS, finds that the average share of income spent on rent has edged down slightly since 2016. This holds for lower income households too.
September 11, 2025 at 7:18 AM
In fact our analysis, and analysis by the ONS, finds that the average share of income spent on rent has edged down slightly since 2016. This holds for lower income households too.
Among middle-to-high income 20-34 year olds, home ownership rose from a low of 40% in 2015/16 to 47% by 2023/24.
There are now over a million more owner occupied homes than if the pre-2016 trend had been followed.
There are now over a million more owner occupied homes than if the pre-2016 trend had been followed.
September 11, 2025 at 7:18 AM
Among middle-to-high income 20-34 year olds, home ownership rose from a low of 40% in 2015/16 to 47% by 2023/24.
There are now over a million more owner occupied homes than if the pre-2016 trend had been followed.
There are now over a million more owner occupied homes than if the pre-2016 trend had been followed.
After 2016 growth in buy-to-let lending slowed from 25% a year to just 1%.
Instead first-time buyer lending expanded, increasing from an avg. of £11bn a year to 2015 to on avg. £18bn a year since (in todays money). Their share of new lending increased from 23% to 41%.
Instead first-time buyer lending expanded, increasing from an avg. of £11bn a year to 2015 to on avg. £18bn a year since (in todays money). Their share of new lending increased from 23% to 41%.
September 11, 2025 at 7:18 AM
After 2016 growth in buy-to-let lending slowed from 25% a year to just 1%.
Instead first-time buyer lending expanded, increasing from an avg. of £11bn a year to 2015 to on avg. £18bn a year since (in todays money). Their share of new lending increased from 23% to 41%.
Instead first-time buyer lending expanded, increasing from an avg. of £11bn a year to 2015 to on avg. £18bn a year since (in todays money). Their share of new lending increased from 23% to 41%.
With fewer landlords buying, plus government support and family wealth transfers, first-time buying picked up and the rate of owner occupation increased, reversing years of falling homeownership rates.
September 11, 2025 at 7:18 AM
With fewer landlords buying, plus government support and family wealth transfers, first-time buying picked up and the rate of owner occupation increased, reversing years of falling homeownership rates.
Why? One big factor is tax changes.
Ending mortgage interest relief and a higher stamp duty slowed new landlord purchases, net effect being that the sector has held fairly constant in size since 2016 rather than continuing to expand.
Ending mortgage interest relief and a higher stamp duty slowed new landlord purchases, net effect being that the sector has held fairly constant in size since 2016 rather than continuing to expand.
September 11, 2025 at 7:18 AM
Why? One big factor is tax changes.
Ending mortgage interest relief and a higher stamp duty slowed new landlord purchases, net effect being that the sector has held fairly constant in size since 2016 rather than continuing to expand.
Ending mortgage interest relief and a higher stamp duty slowed new landlord purchases, net effect being that the sector has held fairly constant in size since 2016 rather than continuing to expand.
New report: Taxing landlords more is good, actually.
Since 2016, tax reforms helped slash the growth of the private rented sector and boosted first-time buyers—without hurting existing tenants.
A big housing story hiding in plain sight? ⬇️
Since 2016, tax reforms helped slash the growth of the private rented sector and boosted first-time buyers—without hurting existing tenants.
A big housing story hiding in plain sight? ⬇️
September 11, 2025 at 7:18 AM
New report: Taxing landlords more is good, actually.
Since 2016, tax reforms helped slash the growth of the private rented sector and boosted first-time buyers—without hurting existing tenants.
A big housing story hiding in plain sight? ⬇️
Since 2016, tax reforms helped slash the growth of the private rented sector and boosted first-time buyers—without hurting existing tenants.
A big housing story hiding in plain sight? ⬇️
Across 1/3rd of local authorities in England and Wales, average expenditure of incomes on rent was over 30%, a commonly accepted measure of unaffordability.
Every London local authority was above this threshold. Bristol, Bath, Brighton & commuter towns were also v expensive.
Every London local authority was above this threshold. Bristol, Bath, Brighton & commuter towns were also v expensive.
August 18, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Across 1/3rd of local authorities in England and Wales, average expenditure of incomes on rent was over 30%, a commonly accepted measure of unaffordability.
Every London local authority was above this threshold. Bristol, Bath, Brighton & commuter towns were also v expensive.
Every London local authority was above this threshold. Bristol, Bath, Brighton & commuter towns were also v expensive.
On average across England private renters spent 36% of incomes on rent, increasing to 42% in London.
This compares to 26% in Wales and 25% in Northern Ireland. The North East of England is most affordable with private rents at on average around 20% of incomes.
This compares to 26% in Wales and 25% in Northern Ireland. The North East of England is most affordable with private rents at on average around 20% of incomes.
August 18, 2025 at 9:58 AM
On average across England private renters spent 36% of incomes on rent, increasing to 42% in London.
This compares to 26% in Wales and 25% in Northern Ireland. The North East of England is most affordable with private rents at on average around 20% of incomes.
This compares to 26% in Wales and 25% in Northern Ireland. The North East of England is most affordable with private rents at on average around 20% of incomes.
ONS have published new private rented affordability analysis for 2024.
Ratios of rents to incomes dipped in 2022/23 as incomes climbed faster than rents.
Rents have been catching up so affordability has worsened again and seems likely it will continue to worsen through 2025...
Ratios of rents to incomes dipped in 2022/23 as incomes climbed faster than rents.
Rents have been catching up so affordability has worsened again and seems likely it will continue to worsen through 2025...
August 18, 2025 at 9:58 AM
ONS have published new private rented affordability analysis for 2024.
Ratios of rents to incomes dipped in 2022/23 as incomes climbed faster than rents.
Rents have been catching up so affordability has worsened again and seems likely it will continue to worsen through 2025...
Ratios of rents to incomes dipped in 2022/23 as incomes climbed faster than rents.
Rents have been catching up so affordability has worsened again and seems likely it will continue to worsen through 2025...
There are now twice as many children living in temporary accommodation as when Labour were last in Government.
Arresting this escalating crisis needs to be a key priority for Government.
Arresting this escalating crisis needs to be a key priority for Government.
July 22, 2025 at 10:01 AM
There are now twice as many children living in temporary accommodation as when Labour were last in Government.
Arresting this escalating crisis needs to be a key priority for Government.
Arresting this escalating crisis needs to be a key priority for Government.
Homes with low energy efficiency ratings were much more likely to have damp.
Residents were far more likely to report being unable to keep their home warm if they were living in homes with damp.
Residents were far more likely to report being unable to keep their home warm if they were living in homes with damp.
July 17, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Homes with low energy efficiency ratings were much more likely to have damp.
Residents were far more likely to report being unable to keep their home warm if they were living in homes with damp.
Residents were far more likely to report being unable to keep their home warm if they were living in homes with damp.
Homes in more deprived areas are more likely to be of poor quality.
There are stark trends in the types of homes that tend to be non-decent, with much higher rates of non-decency among converted flats and terraced homes.
There are stark trends in the types of homes that tend to be non-decent, with much higher rates of non-decency among converted flats and terraced homes.
July 17, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Homes in more deprived areas are more likely to be of poor quality.
There are stark trends in the types of homes that tend to be non-decent, with much higher rates of non-decency among converted flats and terraced homes.
There are stark trends in the types of homes that tend to be non-decent, with much higher rates of non-decency among converted flats and terraced homes.
Unsurprisingly those living in a poorer quality or damp home was associated with much lower levels of satisfaction with that home.
Living in a non-decent home is associated with a 30-40% increase in expenditure on average energy costs across tenures.
Living in a non-decent home is associated with a 30-40% increase in expenditure on average energy costs across tenures.
July 17, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Unsurprisingly those living in a poorer quality or damp home was associated with much lower levels of satisfaction with that home.
Living in a non-decent home is associated with a 30-40% increase in expenditure on average energy costs across tenures.
Living in a non-decent home is associated with a 30-40% increase in expenditure on average energy costs across tenures.
New English Housing Survey analysis out today, some findings ⬇️
'Vulnerable' families, those receiving a disability benefit or other means-tested benefits, were much more likely to be living in poorer quality and damp homes.
'Vulnerable' families, those receiving a disability benefit or other means-tested benefits, were much more likely to be living in poorer quality and damp homes.
July 17, 2025 at 9:10 AM
New English Housing Survey analysis out today, some findings ⬇️
'Vulnerable' families, those receiving a disability benefit or other means-tested benefits, were much more likely to be living in poorer quality and damp homes.
'Vulnerable' families, those receiving a disability benefit or other means-tested benefits, were much more likely to be living in poorer quality and damp homes.
Interesting also to see the trends in London - a few spikes and dips in rental growth in inner London boroughs.
Rental growth in the outer boroughs has been climbing steeply.
Rental growth in the outer boroughs has been climbing steeply.
July 16, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Interesting also to see the trends in London - a few spikes and dips in rental growth in inner London boroughs.
Rental growth in the outer boroughs has been climbing steeply.
Rental growth in the outer boroughs has been climbing steeply.
Average rents in England have reached a stonking £1400 a month, and averages rents in Scotland almost at the £1000 a month mark.
July 16, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Average rents in England have reached a stonking £1400 a month, and averages rents in Scotland almost at the £1000 a month mark.
Could it be delayed feed-through of the high levels of rental growth seen elsewhere in earlier periods?
Or potentially some impact of increasing demand in these areas, esp. with the growth in use of temporary accommodation in some of coastal / seaside areas in particular?
Or potentially some impact of increasing demand in these areas, esp. with the growth in use of temporary accommodation in some of coastal / seaside areas in particular?
July 16, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Could it be delayed feed-through of the high levels of rental growth seen elsewhere in earlier periods?
Or potentially some impact of increasing demand in these areas, esp. with the growth in use of temporary accommodation in some of coastal / seaside areas in particular?
Or potentially some impact of increasing demand in these areas, esp. with the growth in use of temporary accommodation in some of coastal / seaside areas in particular?
Some interesting trends in private rental inflation stats..
Rental growth is currently highest in areas where rents have typically been much lower - e.g. in parts of the North East of England (9.7% growth, joint highest rate for the region), and seaside areas.
Rental growth is currently highest in areas where rents have typically been much lower - e.g. in parts of the North East of England (9.7% growth, joint highest rate for the region), and seaside areas.
July 16, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Some interesting trends in private rental inflation stats..
Rental growth is currently highest in areas where rents have typically been much lower - e.g. in parts of the North East of England (9.7% growth, joint highest rate for the region), and seaside areas.
Rental growth is currently highest in areas where rents have typically been much lower - e.g. in parts of the North East of England (9.7% growth, joint highest rate for the region), and seaside areas.
While general inflation jumped to 3.5% this month, rents are increasing at over twice this rate.
🚨This is particularly bad news for private renters receiving support with housing costs through the local housing allowance, as support remains frozen at April 2024 levels.🚨
🚨This is particularly bad news for private renters receiving support with housing costs through the local housing allowance, as support remains frozen at April 2024 levels.🚨
May 21, 2025 at 10:21 AM
While general inflation jumped to 3.5% this month, rents are increasing at over twice this rate.
🚨This is particularly bad news for private renters receiving support with housing costs through the local housing allowance, as support remains frozen at April 2024 levels.🚨
🚨This is particularly bad news for private renters receiving support with housing costs through the local housing allowance, as support remains frozen at April 2024 levels.🚨
An EHS report published last week found a substantial jump in the share of private renters saying they're finding it difficult to cover their rent.
This holds across the income distribution; even among higher earners the share struggling jumped from 11% to 22%.
This holds across the income distribution; even among higher earners the share struggling jumped from 11% to 22%.
May 21, 2025 at 10:21 AM
An EHS report published last week found a substantial jump in the share of private renters saying they're finding it difficult to cover their rent.
This holds across the income distribution; even among higher earners the share struggling jumped from 11% to 22%.
This holds across the income distribution; even among higher earners the share struggling jumped from 11% to 22%.