Long-term tenant retention is reaching record levels as home ownership barriers prevent the traditional transition from the private rented sector (PRS).
Leaders Romans Group (LRG) research highlights that 60% of tenants across England and Wales have remained in the rental sector for much longer than they originally intended.
The firm's Spring 2026 Lettings Report, based on data from 650 landlords and tenants, reveals that only 1% of those surveyed have successfully purchased a property despite their initial plans.
Renting is not the exception
The chief lettings officer at Leaders, part of LRG, Allison Thompson, said: "Renting for longer is no longer the exception – for a growing number of people it has quietly become the norm.
"What the data tells us is that most tenants have not chosen this; they have accepted it.
"And acceptance is not the same as satisfaction."
She added: "The 32% who say they feel stuck and frustrated are a reminder that long-term renting works well when the home, the landlord and the price are right – and when tenants feel secure.
"That is exactly where good agents and good landlords can make a real difference, helping to build the kind of stability that turns a rental into a genuine home."
Economic hurdles to home ownership
The research also reveals that economic pressures, including rising house prices and restricted mortgage availability, have reshaped the PRS into a permanent housing solution for many.
The data shows that 35% of tenants have occupied their current residence for one to two years, while 59% have remained for at least three years.
And while 23% of renters have stayed in the same property for more than 10 years, just 5% of have moved into their current home within the last year.
Landlords welcome longer tenancies
It helps too that landlords appear broadly receptive to these longer tenancies, with 42% stating that the shift to assured periodic tenancies will not affect their willingness to encourage long-term stays.
A further 15% of landlords indicated they would be more willing to support settled tenants under the new legislative framework.
Of those staying longer than expected, 40% admit they have accepted the situation while still hoping to buy, and 23% claim renting now suits their lifestyle.
Conversely, 32% of respondents described themselves as feeling stuck and frustrated by their inability to exit the sector.
Growing trend to remain
The sense of domestic belonging remains divided among long-term occupants and 51% of tenants say their rental property feels like home.
However, 24% still view their living situation as temporary.
Even among those who have rented the same property for more than 10 years, 20% report that they do not feel a permanent sense of ownership or security.
This trend is supported by the English Housing Survey, which found the average duration in a private rental has risen to 4.6 years, up from 3.7 years in 2011.
Good news for landlords
Simon Thompson, the managing director of Accommodation for Students, said: "There's no doubt that increased tenant longevity provides landlords with sustained rental income stability.
"Also, a declining turnover reduces costly void periods while reducing the need for expensive tenant recruitment for vacant homes."
He added: "This situation is likely to continue as landlords leave the PRS to reduce tenant choice and high home ownership requirements mean tenants will remain in their rented home.
"Also, for landlords encouraging reliable long-term occupation means delivering consistent yields and predictable management cycles."
