In the latest episode of the Under One Roof podcast, I welcome Professor Kim McKee from the University of Stirling to discuss the evolving landscape of renting in the UK. The conversation delves into the meaning of home, upcoming legislative changes, and the various challenges renters face.

Understanding the concept of Home

The discussion begins with an exploration of what “home” truly means beyond a physical space.

Kim outlines three key aspects:

• a comfort zone serving as a refuge from life’s stresses,
• a social hub for gathering with others, and
• a domain offering autonomy and control.

These principles underpin the emotional and relational facets of housing.

Key challenges for renters

Kim explores the obstacles that renters encounter in making rented spaces feel like home.

Personalisation, responsive relationships with landlords, the allowance of pets, and community integration are highlighted as critical factors.

The importance of security of tenure and affordability is underscored, emphasising renters’ need for control and stability.

The gendered perspective in renting

Kim touches on a gender-focused analysis of renting, noting that women, often shouldering greater caregiving responsibilities and affected by domestic abuse, face pronounced affordability challenges.

She advocates for more gender-lensed research to inform policy improvements in the private rented sector.

Fostering positive landlord-tenant relationships

The relationship between landlords and tenants is pivotal to tenants’ sense of home. Kim emphasises the need for respect, communication, and professionalism.

She calls for regulatory and educational measures to ensure landlords provide a supportive environment, recognising the dual nature of tenant needs and landlord business constraints.

Education’s role in professionalising the renting sector

Education emerges as a crucial tool for raising standards and professionalism within the private rented sector.

Kim sees education benefiting both landlords and tenants, equipping them with knowledge of rights and responsibilities.

She advocates for integrating housing education into school curricula to better prepare future renters and emphasises the challenges posed by diverse regulations across the UK.

Rental reforms: opportunities and challenges

The conversation shifts to upcoming rental reforms in the UK, specifically England and Scotland.

Kim is optimistic about reforms strengthening tenants’ security and promoting personalisation and pet ownership.

However, she acknowledges the complexities of addressing affordability and housing market variability, calling for nuanced policy approaches.

Looking forward: future hopes and research

Kim remains hopeful about the future, crediting an expanding evidence base for renter challenges that have emerged over the past two decades.

Yet, she identifies gaps in understanding older and female renters’ experiences, emphasising the need for ongoing qualitative research to inform effective policy solutions.

Conclusion: Building a better future

In closing, Kim stresses that the private rented sector must be seen within the broader housing system.

Addressing acute rental challenges requires increasing affordable housing stock across all tenures.

Her rallying call to build more quality, affordable homes resonates as a crucial step towards resolving the UK housing crisis.

Through an enriching discussion, we examine the intricacies of renting in the UK, highlighting both challenges and pathways towards meaningful reforms.

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