UK rental services provider Housing Hand has shared unique findings regarding the experiences of younger renters. Drawn from the Understanding Renters in 2025 report, which was based on surveying 1,700 working professionals and students renting privately in the UK, the new insights focus specifically on the 1,125 respondents aged 16-30.
The data shows several concerning knowledge gaps, with 85% of renters under 30 feeling they didn’t get sufficient financial education at school. This lack of preparation for entering the rental sector means that 36% of Gen Z turn to family for advice on renting, while 31% rely on websites and 16% on friends. However, whilst advice from friends and relatives may seem useful, the significant changes to the rental landscape being introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act means that much of this information could be outdated and inaccurate. This creates the potential for an even greater rental knowledge gap, leaving young renters in a vulnerable position.
Worryingly, while 82% of Gen Z renters know what a credit score is, 45% are unaware of how it impacts their rental options. Furthermore, 35% didn’t know what a rent guarantor was at the point they were asked to provide one. Even fewer – just 32% – are aware of the existence of depositless rental schemes, while just 50% are aware of deposit protection schemes.
Given this patchy knowledge of some of the fundamentals of renting, it is perhaps unsurprising that young people report feeling largely negative when starting to look for a home to rent. For those aged 16-30, the top four feelings reported in relation to this were: overwhelmed (26%), uncertain (20%), anxious (19%) and scared (8%).
Dani Smith, Sales Manager at Housing Hand, comments: “Young people should feel excited about heading out into the world and renting their first home, but lack of knowledge is denting confidence and negatively impacting the experience from the start.”
Renters under 30 also lack knowledge about what to do if they get into difficulties with their rent. 59% admitted they wouldn’t know what to do if they couldn’t pay their rent, with the vast majority (84%) saying they would turn to their parents for help in such a situation. 66% were also uncertain about the mechanics of the deposit return process, showing the potential for confusion to extend even beyond the end of the tenancy agreement.
While the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act from 1st May 2026 will “give 11 million renters stronger rights, better protections and more security in their homes,” according to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, many members of Gen Z are unaware of this. When surveyed in early 2025, 69% hadn’t heard of the (then) Renters’ Rights Bill and 74% were unclear on how it would impact them.
Dani Smith, Sales Manager at Housing Hand, comments: “The Renters’ Rights Act presents a huge opportunity to address a range of issues in the rental sector, including knowledge gaps among tenants. As the Act comes into force this year, we look forward to working with young renters to ensure they understand their rights in relation to different types of rental accommodation, supporting them to navigate the rental sector with confidence.”
In light of the identified knowledge gaps, as well as the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act, Housing Hand is stepping up to bridge the gap on rental advice. It is building a knowledge base on renting with content to support Gen Z (and others) as they navigate the rental process. The company hopes that this will support the embedding of the spirit of the Act with renters, thus helping to maximise its positive impact across the sector.
To further support this, Housing Hand is also offering a range of products shaped to suit young renters, from a 24/7 health and wellbeing service provided free as part of its rent guarantor product, to its Only My Share service, which minimises tenants’ liability when they live with a housemate who doesn’t pay their rent.
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