Rural Renting Crisis: More than Half a Million Affected by Rising House Prices

“Countryside housing crisis worsens as more than half a million pushed into renting”

A new report by the County Councils Network has revealed that rising house prices in the English countryside have forced over 550,000 people into renting over the past decade. This surge in rural renting, a 19% increase, has outpaced the rises seen in London and other cities across England.

According to the report, house prices in rural counties are now the most unaffordable outside of London, with an average price of £309,000. This has left many locals like Sophie Brown from the Cotswolds feeling priced out of the property market. Sophie, who is renting affordable housing in her home village, shared that buying locally would have cost her around half a million pounds – a common price tag in the Cotswolds.

The situation is not limited to the Cotswolds alone. Cara Loukes from the Gloucestershire Rural Community Council expressed concerns over the housing shortage leading to local communities dying out. Many landlords are opting for holiday lettings or buying second homes, taking properties out of the long-term rental market and leaving those on lower incomes with limited options.

The County Councils Network is calling for government intervention, emphasizing the need for a new rural housing plan with a focus on social housing and a review of existing policies. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has stated its commitment to creating a fair housing system, with plans to boost housing supply and provide more affordable homes.

With the housing crisis in the countryside worsening, it is clear that urgent action is needed to ensure that everyone has access to decent and affordable housing, both in rural and urban areas.