Daniel King's Housing Struggle
Daniel King was raised with the belief that hard work, a good education, and steady employment would enable homeownership. Despite working 50 to 60 hours weekly, he finds saving for a house deposit on a single income unattainable, leaving him "trapped" in a privately rented flat.
Research by Shelter Cymru highlights that the private rented sector in Wales is unaffordable for most residents. The charity notes that only households with two full-time earners, two or fewer children, access to low-cost childcare, and living in mid-Wales can confidently afford private rents.
Landlords have expressed that their expenses have also risen and emphasize the need for improved data collection.
King contacted BBC Your Voice to share his concerns about escalating housing costs. The 36-year-old HGV driver earns between £35,000 and £36,000 annually, taking home approximately £2,300 to £2,400 monthly after deductions for tax and National Insurance.
He rents a one-bedroom flat in Grangetown, Cardiff, for £900 per month, which he considers "a good deal." Approximately 65-70% of his income goes toward rent, council tax, and household bills. He manages to save a small amount monthly but limits spending on non-essential items.
"I'm a very simple individual. I don't have a lot of expenses. I work hard and just want to be able to call a place mine, which I don't think I could do."
Although eligible for a mortgage and capable of affording monthly payments, King finds saving for a deposit impossible.
"It's not do-able, not for a single person. It's impossible to get onto the housing market unless you have generational wealth,"
he stated. King noted that rent prices in his area have risen over the years; during the Covid pandemic, his rent was around £500 monthly.
"Hardworking people in their twenties and thirties have nothing to show for it and are completely overlooked,"
he added.
Housing Affordability in Wales
Official data indicates rent is generally affordable across Wales, except in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. However, Shelter Cymru reports that up to half of the 20,000 people they assist annually face issues with the private rented sector, many citing unaffordable rents.
The charity introduced a new affordability definition, suggesting rent, council tax, and basic utilities should not exceed one-third of a person's income. Their analysis focused on individuals with take-home pay between £2,000 and £2,300 monthly.
Robin White, head of campaigns at Shelter Cymru, explained the focus was on those not at the lowest income levels but who might expect to purchase a home in the future.
"Wales has seen the fastest rate of rising rents anywhere in Britain,"
he said. Shelter Cymru's report described a "crisis of unaffordability" in the private rented sector, calling it the most "urgent housing issue" in Wales.
White highlighted consequences including increased homelessness, record numbers in temporary accommodation, and barriers to homeownership.
"This should be almost the number one priority for the next Welsh government."
The charity recommends aligning renters' rights with those in England and stabilizing rent costs.
Landlords' Perspective
Douglas Haig, director of the National Residential Landlords Association, noted landlords have been impacted by the Renting Homes (Wales) Act and rising interest rates.
"I think adapting to what is one of the biggest changes in how we rent property in Wales for over a hundred years has meant retraining entirely and changing business models to a certain extent."
He acknowledged increased costs for landlords and mentioned that benefits for "accidental" landlords—those renting out properties they no longer occupy—are minimal.
"Making all these fundamental changes is pretty tough for somebody that's just doing it as a part time investment,"
Haig added that discussions about rent controls have led some landlords to raise rents, whereas traditionally increases occurred only at tenancy ends. He emphasized that rent affordability issues are compounded by inflation in food, fuel, and energy costs.
He called on the next Welsh government to implement a Welsh Housing Survey, similar to England's, to ensure accurate data collection.
Political Parties' Positions
A Plaid Cymru spokesperson stated the party would address the housing crisis by establishing a national body to accelerate social home delivery, limit rent increases, and strengthen renters' rights by ending no-fault evictions and improving housing standards.
"Plaid Cymru is the only party offering new leadership for Wales, with real plans to create a fairer housing system for everybody in Wales."
The Welsh Conservatives acknowledged a housing crisis and expressed a desire for Wales to become a "home owning democracy." They proposed scrapping stamp duty to assist people entering and progressing on the housing ladder, thereby easing rental market pressures.
A Welsh Labour spokesperson emphasized that increasing housing supply is the best way to make rents affordable.
"Welsh Labour has pledged to unlock a new decade of housebuilding by delivering 100,000 homes over the next 10 years, including a minimum of 40,000 warm, low-carbon homes for rent in the social sector,"
they said.
"We have a clear plan to increase housing supply and get the market moving, supporting both renters and aspiring homeowners,"
they added.
Reform UK announced plans to build more homes and prioritize Welsh people and veterans for social housing.
A Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesperson remarked,
"For too many people the cost of living crisis starts with housing, with high rents, poor quality homes and hidden costs leaving families stretched every month."
The party aims to build 30,000 social homes to reduce rental pressure and ensure all new homes are sold as freehold or commonhold to avoid additional fees.
The Wales Green Party has been invited to comment.
