There is an urgent need for more build - to - rent homes to meet rising demand and boost affordability in the UK , according to estate agents UK . This is particularly impacting younger households, with those under the age of 35 now paying some 44 per cent of the total rent bill, equivalent to 4.5 times the mortgage interest paid by this cohort. For the first time , the total rent paid by tenants is double the total cost of mortgage interest paid by homeowners . Private landlords paid £ 54bn ( $ 72bn ) in rent in a year , while £ 26.5bn in mortgage interest was paid by homeowners . The rental bill has risen by £ 14bn in the past five years , a 20 % increase . " We need research that encourages the rapid growth of build to rent , " said Richard Cook , Savills ' head of residential research .
There is an urgent need for more build - to - rent homes to meet rising demand and boost affordability in the UK , according to estate agents UK . For the first time , the total rent paid by tenants is double the total cost of mortgage interest paid by homeowners . Private landlords paid £ 54bn ( $ 72bn ) in rent in a year , while £ 26.5bn in mortgage interest was paid by homeowners . The rental bill has risen by £ 14bn in the past five years , a 20 % increase . " We need research that encourages the rapid growth of build to rent , " said Richard Cook , Savills ' head of residential research .