Housing cost situation 'is bleak'

Monday, February 15 2010

People are likely to continue to struggle with housing costs, it has been claimed.

Chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Housing Sarah Webb explained that there is help available for those who are struggling.

Britons with the lowest incomes and who are classed as most vulnerable can expect help from housing providers, who have created initiatives for this purpose.

However: "The picture is likely to be just as bleak for some time to come," she added.

Ms Webb's comments follow research from the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA), which found that many tenants are struggling to pay their rent.

Operations manager of ARLA Ian Potter said that unemployment was thought to be behind these difficulties.

Furthermore, if unemployment figures continue to rise this year, the problem will only worsen, he predicted.

However, Mr Potter added that the housing market does look "buoyant" and rental properties are increasingly in demand - which is good news for landlords.