Thousands turning to rented property

A growing number of families are joining the cohort of renters, which has grown 24% since 2010.

The throng of people turning to privately rented accommodation grew by 275,000 in 2011, according to Countrywide.

These include twenty-somethings looking for professional accommodation, students looking for rented digs, and now, it seems, more families.

While cohabiting couples under the age of 35 continue to make up the largest proportion of new tenants looking to rent (at 23.4% in Q4 2011), a growing number of families are entering the private rental market.

This trend was found to be most evident in the North and South East of theUK.

Scores of people made enquiries with the agent in August last year - the highest number since its records began.

Copyright Press Association 2012