Housing Hand has recently reported findings that suggest renters under the age of 30 (Gen Z) are anxious about the renting process and have limited understanding of basic concepts and rights that renters possess. Additional stress has been recognised due to changes which will be made as a result of the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act from this May.
Gaps in understanding
Data sourced from the Understanding Renters in 2025 report shows that many don’t know how to prepare themselves to become a renter. According to Housing Hands, 85% of the target group (1,125 respondents to the survey that were aged 16 to 30) believe they didn’t receive financial education in school that would benefit them enough to understand their legal rights as a renter or the process.
“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,” said Dani Smith, sales manager at Housing Hand.
Who does Gen Z turn towards for help?
Not knowing enough themselves, many said that they turn to others for help; 36% turn to family for advice, 31% search online for more information, 16% ask their friends.
Whilst receiving advice and guidance from others is typically a positive thing, however the rental market moves very fast and different generations have very different experiences. For example, for grandparents or parents being asked it may have been many years or even decades since they rented and their knowledge might be outdated, therefore adding more confusion.
Uncertainty over managing financial difficulties
The survey showed that 59%, said they would not know what to do if they could not pay their rent. Of that percentage, 84% said they would turn to their parents for help.
The deposit return process at the end of tenancies also confuses some young people with 66% saying they didn’t know how that worked.
Outdated information
Ongoing changes linked to the Renters’ Rights Act mean much of this information (from relatives and friends, or even some online websites) risks being outdated.
Property Reporter says: “That mismatch could deepen the knowledge gap and leave younger renters more exposed to mistakes or misunderstandings.”
Awareness of financial tools
Although the data report shows that 82% of Gen Z renters know what a credit score is that doesn’t mean they know the impacts of a credit score. In fact, 45% were unaware that it effected their rental options or how to overcome this issue.
On top of this, Property Reporter says that: “35% did not know what a rent guarantor was when first asked to provide one. Knowledge of alternative schemes remains limited, with only 32% aware of deposit-less rental schemes and just 50% aware of deposit protection schemes.”
How do young renters feel when they begin their rental search?
Conflicting advice, unawareness of legality issues and the newer concern of the Renters’ Rights Act – all contribute towards how renters expressed they felt during the start of their search:
- overwhelmed (26%),
- uncertain (20%),
- anxious (19%)
- scared (8%)
More on the Renters’ Rights Act
With no data more recent than the start of 2025, it is unsure how aware students are now of the Renters’ Rights Act, but when previously questioned about the Bill 69% said they had never even heard of it. Despite the legislation promising to protect young tenants and students, a further 74% were unclear about how it would affect them.
Dani Smith from Housing Hand says: “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.”
