TDS data reveals the gap between renters' first-time buyer aspirations and what they believe is achievable
Three quarters of private renters in England would like to own their home, yet 44% believe they will rent for the rest of their lives.
That gap — between aspiration and expectation — is the central finding of new research from the TDS Charitable Foundation. The study is based on a nationally representative survey of more than 2,000 private renters in England. It points to a clear opportunity for mortgage brokers advising first-time buyers.
More than half of those surveyed (51%) said they wanted to leave their current property but could not. Nearly half (47%) described finding a suitable home during their most recent search as difficult.
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Why are more UK renters giving up on homeownership?
The average private tenancy in England now runs to an estimated 4.7 years, almost a year longer than a decade ago. As renters stay put for longer, the idea of renting as a temporary step towards buying becomes harder to sustain.
Demand for social housing shows how far expectations have shifted. Almost a third of tenants (30%) said they would prefer social housing — up from 21% the previous year. The increase is sharpest among those under greatest pressure:
- 47% of tenants aged 65 or over
- 46% of those receiving benefits
- 39% of households with children
- 35% of people with a long-term health condition
These segments would all prefer social housing to private renting.
Dr Jennifer Harris is head of policy, research and social impact at The Dispute Service (TDS) Group. She said the data reflected a fundamental change in who the sector now serves." “What was once a sector associated particularly with students and younger people is now home to a much wider range of households, many of whom expect to remain renters for the long term,” she said. “It is important that housing policy keeps pace with that changing reality.”
The broker conversation that needs to happen
The aspiration gap presents an opportunity for advisers. Many renters who have written off homeownership have never had a conversation with a broker about what is actually available to them.
Several routes remain active in 2026: First Homes offers a minimum 30% discount on new-build properties for buyers earning under £80,000 (£90,000 in London). Shared Ownership, the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme, and the Lifetime ISA all continue to operate.
The rate environment has also improved: average first-time buyer mortgage rates dropped to 4.48% in Q1 2026, according to the Tembo First-Time Buyer Index. This is the lowest level in more than two years.
As a recent analysis of first-time buyer affordability across the UK showed, conditions vary considerably by region. A broker who knows the local market can reframe what is realistic for a client who has assumed otherwise.
How big is the opportunity for brokers?
Three quarters of renters want to own a home, yet fewer than six in ten believe they ever will. The opportunity for brokers willing to have that conversation is real. The first-time buyer scheme awareness gap remains a persistent barrier. Brokers can address it through direct conversations with renting clients already on their books.
“Reforms to improve renters’ experiences and rights are important, but ultimately we also need to address the shortage of housing options available to people,” Harris said. “A significant program of housebuilding across all tenures — including homes for ownership, private rent and social housing — will be essential if we are to give people genuine choice.”
That program will take years. Mandatory mortgage advice for first-time buyers has been proposed as one structural fix in the meantime. Until it arrives, the case for brokers to reach out first is stronger than it has been in years.
