THE number of people living in privately rented accommodation has risen over the past 10 years, according to new Census data.

Since the census in 2011, there has been an increase of more than 10,000 households in Bradford, with the current figure of households standing at 209,900.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show 48,278 households were renting privately in Bradford when the census was carried out in March 2021 – 23 per cent of households. 

At the time of the previous census in March 2011, 18.1 per cent of households were private renters – meaning the share has increased over the past decade.

Separate figures from the ONS and the Valuation Office Agency show that median private rent in Yorkshire and The Humber was £575 a month as of March 2021 – up 26.4 per cent from £455 in June 2011 – the earliest comparable figures.

Across England and Wales there are now five million private renters, up from 3.9 million in 2011.

Bradford Council said the standards of privately rented properties can "vary vastly" and it is striving to expand the provision of affordable housing. 

A spokesperson said: “These figures correspond with an overall increase in households in the Bradford district; there are 209,900 households in our district, which is an increase of 10,604 (5.3 per cent) since the 2011 census.

“There are also more single-person households, so there is an increased demand for this kind of accommodation.

“Renting privately may be the only option for some people, while others actively choose to rent, rather than to buy a property, for example if they are not sure that they want to live in a particular location long term.

“We are more concerned about the standards of privately rented properties, which can vary vastly. We work to ensure that standards in this sector are as high as possible, as everyone should be able to live in decent accommodation.

“There is also a growing need for more affordable housing in the district and we are striving to expand this provision. A report will be going to our Executive Committee on our Housing Revenue Account next month.”

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