More than half of tenants remain in their rental home despite the desire to move, mainly because they cannot find a suitable new home that they can afford.
Research from flat-share website SpareRoom has found that the three biggest barriers to tenants moving are the “lack of available properties within budget”, “the shortage of rental supply” and “strong competition from other tenants”.
The research found that six in ten tenants felt the rental market had had a negative effect on their career development.
One in five say they have turned down a job offer in the past two years to avoid having to look for a new rental property.
This meant that many had missed out on higher incomes and other opportunities.
The research also shows that 45% of tenants have avoided contact with their landlord or rental agents in the past year, mainly due to fear of rent increases.
As a result, potentially dangerous issues such as faulty fire alarms and mold are not addressed.
Of tenants who avoid contact, 32% have not reported a minor repair issue and 25% have not asked their landlord or agent about fixtures or appliances that need to be repaired or replaced.
Worryingly, 16% have not reported a mold problem and 8% have avoided informing their agent or landlord of safety-related issues, such as faulty alarms.
When asked why they avoided contact with their landlord or real estate agent, respondents could select multiple answers.
The main reason for 58% was the fear of a rent increase, while for 42% it was the assumption that their landlord or agent would not respond or help solve the problem.
For 35% it was to avoid confrontation and for 31% it was the fear of deportation.
SpareRoom director Matt Hutchinson says: “A healthy economy depends on a flexible workforce, which we won’t have if people can’t move.
“With room prices in Britain now at record highs and household affordability under pressure, many tenants simply have no choice but to sit tight and hope their rent doesn’t increase even more.
“Even for those who can afford to move, avoiding the stress of the rental market takes priority over career development and opportunity.
“Home should be a solid platform where people can get out and build happy, productive lives, but for many people this is clearly not the case.
“When we have reached the point where people are turning down job opportunities and career progression for fear of having to re-enter the rental market, our politicians are failing people on a massive scale, and have been doing so for years.
“The upside is that the Renters’ Rights Act addresses some of the key issues that renters face.
“The end of no-fault evictions, a once-a-year limit on rent increases, and an end to bidding wars and fixed-term leases will adjust the balance of justice for tenants and hopefully remove some of the fear and uncertainty around reporting issues.”