Today, the number of available rental homes in London is 45 per cent lower than the five-year average. And the UK capital is far from an isolated case. Why is that?
Two weeks ago, FT House & Home published a story unpacking the global rental squeeze — from the sudden return of demand following the lifting of Covid restrictions, to the lack of supply caused by landlords selling up as prices boom, to the ever-increasing financialisation of property (the purchase of rental homes by financial groups and investment funds). And all the while, the brunt of the rental crisis gripping major cities across the world is disproportionately being borne by the young.
FT readers reacted to the piece, passionately as ever, sharing their experiences and thoughts, and sometimes even offering bullet-pointed practical solutions. Here we have gathered some of their best responses: