Almost a third of tenants in private rented accommodation feel that their living arrangements are impacting their mental health, research by Wayhome suggests.

A survey carried out on behalf of the shared equity provider found that 30% of tenants say their mental wellbeing has been affected by their accommodation, up from 24% before the pandemic.

This compares to just 15% of homeowners, meaning renters are twice as likely to find their mental health impacted by housing than those who are already on the property ladder.

The poll also found that only 43% of renters say they are happy or generally happy with their living situation, meaning the majority of people living in the private rented sector are dissatisfied with their circumstances.

It found that 14% of renters say they have experienced feelings of depression linked to their accommodation, which is equivalent to around 616,000 people.

Meanwhile, 13% said renting led them to suffer from anxiety and 12% reported feeling isolated, while 10% are so unhappy with their current living situation that it is causing or contributing to broader mental health issues. 

Of those renters who said their living situation had contributed to feelings of depression, anxiety, or isolation, or had caused other mental health issues, 20% blamed the fixtures and fittings being in poor condition and 10% said their home was the wrong size.

Location was also an issue as 32% said their home wasn’t close enough to their friends and family, 15% don’t feel safe in their local area, and 12% were far from amenities.

Meanwhile, 22% attribute their suffering to feeling insecure in their current accommodation.

Wayhome chief executive Nigel Purves says: “There are some players in the property market who are ecstatic about the heat of the market over the last year, but they do a disservice to our industry. 

“The UK is facing an affordability crisis, with people trapped in a vicious renting cycle.

“Our research has brought to light just what can happen to those who are continually priced out of homeownership, with cases of depression on the rise and people feeling isolated and anxious. 

“In some instances, people are even putting major life plans on hold until they’re in a home worthy of their family. 

“It’s not good enough. 

“Homeownership should be accessible for everyone.”

He says that Wayhome’s gradual home ownership scheme is helping to address the problem.

Chartered psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos says: “Feeling trapped in your own home is a difficult feeling to contend with from an emotional wellbeing perspective. 

“While the pandemic has triggered a multitude of mental health related crises – this feeling of being unable to break free from the cycle of renting was clearly in existence for some time before the pandemic took hold.

“Feeling unable to pursue major life goals, gain proper independence or feel accomplished by our achievements can all have a damaging effect. 

“It is not therefore surprising that the mental health of reluctant renters can be affected.”