Majority of tenants don't pay rent

Author: Daily Express - Aug 19, 2009

Posted in: Planning, Housing and Economic Development / Reform of the social housing system / Local Government News

Nearly two-thirds of council housing tenants get all their rent paid by the taxpayer, it was revealed last night.

The massive benefits handout – largely to households where no one has a job – is costing hard-working middle-income families a total of £10billion a year.

That is the equivalent of £476 every year for every privately-owned home in Britain

Figures reveal there are now three million households living in publicly-owned homes whose rent is funded through housing benefit.

NHF director Ruth Davison said: “Sixty per cent of tenants don’t pay their own bills, they are paid for by the taxpayer.”

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