Liberal Democrats have announced plans for a new Help to Rent scheme to support young workers move out of their family home and into a rented property.
Research shows that around two million young working adults still live with their parents despite being in paid work.
Rising rental costs mean that many young workers can’t afford the money needed for a tenancy deposit of the one to two month’s rent expected up front unless they have financial help from their parents or friends.
Under the ‘Help to Rent’ scheme, young working people in England will be able to borrow up to £1,500 (£2,000 in London) from the Government to go towards their tenancy deposit.
To be eligible, tenants would need to be between 18-30 years old, in paid employment and not be home owners or seeking social housing tenancy.
Loans could be paid over one or two years and once paid off, could be used for future rental properties.
The knock-on effect of having young working adults in the family can also lead to parents having to upsize or delay the downsizing of family homes to accommodate older children, thereby reducing the availability of family homes.
Launching the scheme, Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg said:
Commetating on the the scheme, the Isle of Wight’s parliamentary Candidate David Goodall said: