Findings also suggests that the stigma associated with renting is disappearing, with only 31% of respondents believing that opportunities for first-time buyers will improve over the next few years.

Nick Jopling, executive property director of Grainger, said: “There is a new housing reality dawning on Britain.

“The financial crisis has tightened mortgage lending; house prices continue to be uncertain; and there are simply too few homes for demand.”

Grainger said the Government should do more to back the private rented sector.

Source - Landlordtoday.co.uk