Research shows renters face lengthy wait to buy

July 6, 2026 by Brendan O'Neill

Renting

The latest research has found that a significant percentage of renters are facing a decades-long wait to buy a first home.

Skipton Building Society carried out that research and it paints a bleak picture of housing affordability. The results show that one third of those who rent will have to wait 35 years before they can afford to buy. What is more, the waiting time could spiral further upwards if average house prices rise in the future.

It is not hard to see why they are facing such a lengthy battle to buy. The current average house price is £243,883, while the average deposit stands at £41,403. Meanwhile, these renters can save a maximum of just £100 per month towards that, due to rising living costs.

What the Skipton BS research also found was that most renters have a pessimistic view of their chances. 73% of them said that they believe that there is no realistic way for them to buy. 45% stated that this was because so much of their money each month goes on rent payments.

The only option that renters are being left with is to opt out of normal parts of life. 49% said that they do not take holidays, 45% said that they avoid socialising, and 20% said that they are putting off marriage and starting a family.

Jen Lloyd from Skipton BS said that the findings should be a wake-up call for the industry.

First-time buyers need advisors with the CeMAP qualification to help them find affordable loans.