High housing costs force Londoners to live with their ex

High housing costs within London have meant that many couple feel obliged to move in with each other, or that former partners must remain in the same home.

A survey by Shelter has found that couples moving in together for financial reasons was around 235,000 whilst a further 128,000 had to stay living with their ex. One example which was given by Shelther was the case of 37-year old ‘Carla’. Although she earns nearly £50,000 she cannot afford to move out and must still live with her ex-boyfriend. Carla believes that the reason she is finding it hard to find another property is due to the fact that the London property market is so competitive and some people secure properties by paying the rent for the next six months in advance.

Shelter’s chief executive Campbell Robb spoke before the London Mayoral Election on Thursday by stating how the current housing market was unfair in determining how people lived. He also added that the elected mayor would need to do something about the current situation. After Boris Johnson’s victory at the said election, he signed up to a campaign held by Shelter on behalf of ‘Homes for London’, an agency helping the current housing crisis being experienced in London.

Shelther have also warned that the situation of a housing market experiencing such problems is not only in the case in London, but can also be found in the south-east. The problem is caused by the fact that rental costs in 55% of England are 35% pricier than wages taken home, therefore making renting an pricey option.

Image: flickr/Ed Yourdon