Older renters are more stretched than younger renters, with the over-70s spending 46% of their income on rent, according to new HomeLet data.

Many housing groups view 40% of gross pay as the outside edge of what is sustainable and anything consistently above that starts to put serious pressure on household budgets, says the referencing firm.

The typical UK tenant now spends 32% of their gross income on rent, but those aged 60-69 have also seen their rent‑to‑income ratio rise to 36%, reflecting the impact of fixed or slower‑growing incomes, such as pensions. Younger renters are also feeling particular strain, with 20-29‑year‑old tenants spending about 35% of their income on rent.

“They can be excellent tenants, but they often require a more nuanced assessment,” explains the firm.

Least

London remains the least affordable region, with tenants spending 37% of their income on rent, in contrast to the North East, where it stands at about 31% and in Yorkshire & The Humber where the figure falls to 28%, one of the lowest ratios in the UK.

HomeLet reveals that since early 2025, the share of rental applications needing a guarantor has risen steadily to one in five (21%). Its UK Rental Affordability Report says landlords and agents understandably want extra security against arrears and default, especially in a market where legal processes can be time‑consuming and costly.

Ratios

However, it believes rent‑to‑income ratios, age, employment type and guarantor trends all help to build a more complete understanding of each applicant’s position. “Two applicants with identical salaries may represent very different levels of risk when you take these factors into account,” it says.

“Being open to guarantors and other structured forms of support can help turn a borderline case into a sustainable, long‑term tenancy, provided robust checks are in place. In a market where tenants often stay longer and legal processes can be slow, focusing on tenant quality rather than simply speed of let is critical to protecting returns.”

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